MERV stands for “Minimum Efficiency Report Value” and is a rating determined by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). A MERV 13 filter is made with an advanced synthetic air medium that uses charged fibers and traditional mechanical filtration principles. This high-quality plastic-based material allows filters to trap particles as small as lint, dust mites, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, fine dust, smoke, viruses and bacteria. The charged fibers allow the filter to reach MERV 13 levels after installation and immediately trap air contaminants.
The resulting dust paste then improves the mechanical principles of the filter, allowing for high levels of filtration throughout its life cycle. However, MERV 13 pleated filters are not suitable for most air conditioning systems due to resistance to air flow. It is important to check with your oven manufacturer to ensure that your system is designed for this type of filter. Air filters with a MERV rating of one to four are effective at removing large particles such as carpet fibers, airborne paint droplets and sanding dust.
However, they cannot help with contaminants such as hairspray, mold spores or even flour that could have escaped from the mixer. Increasing a filter to a higher MERV can increase the delta P through the filter. An air filter with a higher MERV rating can block microscopic particles such as smoke molecules due to its tighter mesh fabric. Considering the threat posed by the spread of COVID-19 and other germs, changing a building's air filter to a HEPA is a much more effective step than simply a MERV 13, considering the small size of the virus (0.06 to 0.12 microns).
Simply replacing a 1-inch filter with a 4-inch filter may not be sufficient, especially if the filter cabinet is mounted immediately before the fan (properly sized for the return opening). 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. It's important to replace filters regularly, because the older an air filter is, the less bacteria and dirt it removes from the air, which will worsen indoor air quality and increase energy costs. I'm thinking of testing an air filter together with a non-woven material similar to that used in N95 masks. If your filter has a high MERV index, you know that it's very effective in preventing things like pollen, bacteria and pet dander from circulating throughout the house; however, it can be too effective in preventing air from circulating, which is a bad thing.
I also explain that fine filters clog up 26% faster than clogged filters (26% of coils) quickly reduce comfort in some rooms in very hot or cold climates and can damage or reduce the life of the equipment. The Merv 16 would be the best since it will filter 95%. There is a YouTube video that shows how to make your own N95 with a Merv 16 filter. In conclusion, MERV 13 filters are made with an advanced synthetic air medium that uses charged fibers and traditional mechanical filtration principles. However, they are not suitable for most air conditioning systems due to resistance to air flow.
It is important to check with your oven manufacturer to ensure that your system is designed for this type of filter.
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