When researching air conditioning systems, it is essential to comprehend the impact of a higher MERV rating on air flow. The short answer is yes, higher MERV ratings mean higher resistance and less airflow. However, this is not usually a problem, except in extreme cases. Most modern HVAC systems have no difficulty 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 issues related to the filters in your air conditioning system. Studies show that, in general, air conditioning systems with high MERV* filters have a greater pressure drop across the filter. This implies that if you want to remove more things from the air, you can use a filter with a different material. The pores of these filters are much smaller, allowing the filter to trap more contaminants from the air stream and, at the same time, adding more resistance.
Taller MERV filters have greater resistance. A MERV rating is a good indication of the effectiveness of an air filter in your central HVAC split system. The higher the rating, the better the filter. As the MERV rating increases, fewer and fewer contaminants and dust pass through the filter, improving the quality of the incoming airflow. If only more companies would promote the installation of magnetic pressure gauges and pressure gauges, as well as simplistic information brochures that explained why going from a 50-micron filter to a MERV 13 can be problematic, or letting a filter double its depth due to the accumulation of dust (I saw it, like little hands), the oven was still working (more or less).The standard fiberglass filter doesn't resist airflow too much, at least not when the filter it's clean. However, if you leave a clogged filter unchanged for a long time, that's when you can start to see problems with airflow resistance.
The air is hazy and has poor visibility when the levels of air pollution are high, and that's when this becomes a problem for people's health. If you want to maximize airflow while driving and changing room air while still being able to use a MERV 13 or higher filter, it is recommended to use air filters with MERV 13 or higher. This is especially important for those who prioritize air quality and need to treat asthma, severe allergies and other similar circumstances. Air conditioning unit technology has progressed since then, and most modern units in recent years should have at least the capacity to install a MERV 8 filter. Indoor air quality is a priority for everyone today, and it's crucial to use the right air filters and install them correctly to create the right environment for your customer. In my opinion, air filters should be in the return grills, not in the equipment. So what can you do to be able to use a high MERV* filter and not suffer a large pressure drop in the filter and the subsequent loss of air flow (PSC fan) or increased energy consumption (ECM fan)? It's actually quite simple.
For example, a general filtration with a MERV of 8 will filter to approximately 10 microns, while a 13 MERV filter will have only about 0.3 microns in step. Note that, as the MERV rating increases, the filter becomes more restrictive and more pressure and energy will be needed to pass air. Thanks to this site and the trails it has taken me through, I have discovered that two MERV 11 filters can have the same filtering capacity but one of them could allow for more air transfer. In conclusion, understanding how higher MERV ratings affect airflow is essential when researching air conditioning systems. It is important to remember that most modern HVAC systems have no problem working with higher MERV filters but changing them too often can lead to problems with airflow resistance. To maximize airflow while still being able to use a MERV 13 or higher filter it is recommended to use air filters with MERV 13 or higher.
