Is a MERV 16 Filter the Best Choice for Your Home or Business?

When it comes to air filtration, the MERV rating is an important factor to consider. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, and it is a measure of how effective a filter is at trapping particles of different sizes. The higher the MERV rating, the more effective the filter is at trapping small particles. In general, filters with a MERV 16 rating or lower are considered suitable for HVAC systems in residential, commercial and general hospital settings.

Our patented, high-efficiency MERV 16 filters have unique properties that make them stand out from other filters. Unlike traditional filters, which tend to trap particles that get embedded in the filter, these filters remove most of the dirt from the air. The MERV 16 rating indicates that it can easily remove particles from 0.3 to 1 micron in size. All air ovens and central air conditioning units can handle MERV 16 filters, but since they are quite deep compared to traditional filters, a specific housing may be required for aftermarket installation.

The table below summarizes the average arrest and applications of filters along the MERV scale, as well as the typical particle size for which they are used:

MERV Rating	Particle Size	Applications
1-4	10-20 microns	Dust mites, pollen, carpet fibers
5-8	3-10 microns	Mold spores, pet dander, dusting
9-12	1-3 microns	Bacteria, smoke, smog
13-16	0.3-1 micron	Viruses, aerosolized droplets

HEPA air filters are at least 50% more effective at removing respirably sized airborne particles suspended in air than any of the ASHRAE air filters previously available on the market. As for CO and ozone, the MERV classification of a filter is irrelevant since filtering those pollutants requires a completely different strategy. In terms of their filtration efficiency, MERV 13 filters work very well when it comes to household dust and some allergens; however, their performance is lower than a micron.

MERV 11 air filters

, on the other hand, may not trap as many tiny particles as a HEPA filter but they are cost-effective and work with a variety of types of climate systems.

HEPA filters are 99.97% efficient at capturing particles with a diameter of 0.3 microns, while most MERV 16 filters offer efficiencies of approximately 95%. Since a higher MERV score is correlated with a lower particle count, the higher the MERV score, the better. Unlike Breathable Intake and Lennox, AprilAir uses unique dimensions for its filters that wouldn't work in standard 4- to 5-inch filter cabinets.