In some cases, using an air filter that is too restrictive for your system can also cause low airflow problems. The MERV 13 is the highest safe MERV value for residential furnaces; the highest ratings are primarily used in commercial units. Another undesired effect of this decrease in airflow occurs on the cooling side. The air conditioner has a hot coil outside, the condenser and a cold coil inside the air controller.
This cold coil has a specific preferred operating temperature. That temperature is based on a certain amount of hot air flowing through that coil and on the coolant that passes through that coil's copper tubing. With a higher MERV filter that reduces airflow through this crucial part of the air conditioning system, the cold coil can eventually freeze and become an ice ball, completely restricting airflow. Without giving more details, this causes more costly problems in the outer coil of the condenser.
While the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) suggests MERV 13, it may not be the most efficient option for some residential HVAC systems. In fact, the MERV 11 may even be too restrictive. It's best to comply with the oven manufacturer's recommendations or consult an HVAC professional to determine exactly which MERV rating is best for your specific system. The short answer is yes, but it's not really a problem, except in extreme circumstances.
Most modern HVAC systems have no problem working with higher MERV filters, which is why millions of homeowners rely on them. The main risk of high-efficiency air filters comes from the fact that they are not modified for long periods of time. If you insist on changing the filters, it's unlikely that you'll experience any problems related to the filters in your air conditioning system. In general, filters with higher MERV ratings capture higher percentages of particles, as well as particles smaller.
And MERV-13* is practically where you want to be. In addition, high MERV air filters that contain pleats create a much larger surface area for air to blow through, which can improve airflow and reduce stress on the system. Not all filters have a MERV rating and many of them are purchased at big box stores. While air filters with a MERV of one to four are effective in removing large particles, such as carpet fibers, airborne paint droplets and sanding dust, they cannot help remove contaminants that could have escaped from the mixer, such as hairspray, mold spores or even flour.
Filter technology has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, and the MERV ratings are designed to help us find the most effective and efficient air filter options for heating and cooling systems and more. A MERV 13 filter a MERV 13 filter is very likely to help if the objective is to prevent droplets from passing through it. Low-efficiency filters are usually included in MERV 1-4 and high-efficiency filters in MERV 13 and higher. Finally, I say that peace of mind is priceless and that, if they consider that a high MERV filter would be sufficient, they should do so with the exception that they must replace dirty filters often enough and that may take a week or two, depending on the MERV classification, the effective area of the filter and the amount of particles that enter your home. In addition, if I tried this modification of the MERV13 filter myself, I would create a lot of filter discs and change them after each exposure to several people.
If you want to use pleated filters and superior MERV filters, the only safe way to do this is to have a professional install a 5- to 6-inch media filter. Never filter cascading because never use cascading filters because the cumulative restriction of the system would be too great. While MERV 8 is known to be effective at filtering air contaminants such as pollen, dust mites, sawdust, mold spores, and lint, higher MERV values will still clean the air more. Increasing a filter to increase a filter to a higher MERV can increase delta P throughout the filter.
Air filters with a MERV 13 or higher are recommended for those who prioritize air quality and need to treat asthma, severe allergies and other similar circumstances. In fact, researchers have found that while filters with a high MERV can cause a pressure drop, the impact is not significant unless the filter is loaded of dirt.
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