MERV Ratings Explained: What They Are and How to Choose the Right One for Your Home

Key Takeaways:

• Learn what a MERV rating is and how it affects your home’s air quality
• Discover the best MERV rating based on your home’s needs (filtering pets, allergies, and ideal climate)
• Understand which MERV ratings balance filtration with HVAC system performance
• See how often you should change air filters to keep your system running efficiently
• Get expert-backed guidance on choosing the right air filter for your HVAC system

When it comes to your home’s HVAC system, air filters play a bigger role than most people think. Not only do they help keep your indoor air clean, but they also protect your system from dust and debris that can affect its performance over time. A term you might have seen while shopping for HVAC filters is “MERV rating”, but what exactly is a MERV rating, and how do you know which rating is right for your home?

What Is a MERV Rating?

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It’s a standardized way to measure how effective an air filter is at capturing particles of different sizes. The higher the MERV rating, the more particles the filter can trap. Ratings typically range from 1 to 16 for residential use, with higher ratings used in hospitals or specialized facilities.

At a basic level:

• Lower MERV (1-4): Captures larger particles like dust and lint but not much else.
• Mid-range MERV (5-8): Good for standard homes, filtering out mold spores, dust mites, and some pollen.
• Higher MERV (9-12): Better at removing smaller allergens, pet dander, and finer dust.
• Highest MERV for homes (13-16): Can capture bacteria, smoke, and even some viruses.

What MERV Rating Should I Use?

This is probably the question most homeowners ask: what MERV rating do I need? For most homes, a MERV rating between 8 and 12 strikes a good balance. It filters out common allergens and household particles while still allowing proper airflow. If you have pets, allergies, or live in a dusty climate, you might consider going slightly higher within that range. It is important to be careful going with higher filters that aren't designed for your system. They can actually put strain on your HVAC equipment. Before jumping to the highest rating, it’s worth checking out your system’s specifications or speaking with an HVAC professional.

The Best MERV Rating for Your Home Depends on Your Needs

Everyone’s system along with preferences are different. The best MERV rating for home use depends on several factors:

• Pets: If you have dogs or cats, especially breeds that shed heavily, a MERV 10-12 filter can help reduce pet dander and hair circulating in your home.
• Allergies or asthma: For those with respiratory concerns, bumping up to a MERV 11 or 12 can provide better filtration for pollen, mold, and other allergens. Mint Home goes into more detail on this in our blog about how your HVAC system can help during allergy season.
• Location: In drier climates dust and pollen can clog filters faster. A slightly higher MERV rating helps maintain cleaner air.

MERV Rating on Air Filters: Don’t Forget Regular Replacement

Even the best MERV-rated air filter won’t do its job if it’s clogged. Dirty filters reduce airflow, force your HVAC system to work harder, and can drive up energy bills. Based on a survey Mint Home conducted with over 250 homeowners, it was found that the replacement habits of air filters can vary widely, but most people with pets or allergies replace their filters every 1-3 months. You can read more about those insights here.

Keeping up with filter changes not only protects your HVAC system but also helps maintain better indoor air quality, especially during peak allergy seasons. Through MintCare, Mint Home offers two filter replacements annually to make sure your system is filtering properly at the change of each extreme season.

The Bottom Line on MERV Ratings

Understanding the MERV rating on air filters helps you make smarter choices for your home’s air quality and HVAC system health. While it can feel overwhelming with so many options out there, focusing on your home’s specific needs, whether it’s pets, allergies, or climate, makes the decision much easier. Additionally, as always, regular maintenance goes hand-in-hand with choosing the right filter.

If you’re due (or overdue) for a system replacement or maintenance, Mint Home makes it simple. Our instant online quotes take the guesswork out of the process, no sales visits or long consultations needed.