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Understanding MERV Ratings: Complete Guide to MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13 Filters in Commercial HVAC

Updated: May 2

With commercial HVAC systems, keeping the level of air quality high is pretty straight forward. This article will provide a comparative look at MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13 filters to highlight their variation, quality, benefits, disadvantages, and how their presence demarcates the efficiency and airflow of the system.

The Basics: Understanding MERV Ratings

The Basics: Understanding MERV Ratings

"MERV" stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, which is a system used for ranking air filter efficiency. The greater the MERV rating, the finer the filtering quality. Very tiny particles are capable of being captured by MERV values greater than 10.  Below is a list of the different MERV filter numbers and ratings.


MERV 1 - 4: These filters are generally not recommend for commercial buildings. They are not able to trap smaller particles and are generally inefficient.

MERV 5 - 8: Filters with MERV 5 and 8 may capture particles as tiny as 3.0 micrometres. MERV 8 filter are very popular for their cost and ability to filter air adequately.

MERV 9 - 12: These filters are excellent for residential and commercial filtration. These filters are able to capture particles as small as 1.0 μm.

MERV 13 - 16: These are the highest efficiency filters, suitable for commercial buildings, hospitals, and general surgery settings.​


Image of filter ratings explained for MERV 8, MERV 11 and MERV 13 filters
Filter Ratings Explained

MERV 8 Filters: The Money Saving Solution to Your Standard Commercial Setting

MERV 8 filters are the standard option for most commercial HVAC systems. They can filter particles up to 3.0 μm, thus preventing dust mites, mold spores, and random common allergens from reaching your lungs. MERV 8 filters also have the following advantages:

  • They are less expensive than more perfectly evaluated ones;

  • They are more energy efficient. As they filter less, MERV 8 filters do not overwork the HVAC systems and, therefore, use less energy.


In conclusion, MERV 8 filters are generally considered "good enough". A MERV 8 will filter enough pollutants to have the indoor air quality clean. In environments that demand the air to be very clean like health facilities and those located in dusty areas, MERV 8 filters will not work.

MERV 11 Filters: The Cost-Filtration Efficiency Balance.

MERV 11 filters are the best for businesses that are not interested in or do not require a MERV 13 but want more than MERV 8. MERV 11 filters can trap particles ranging from 1.0 to 3.0 μm, making them effective against finer dust particles, pet dander, and other air pollutants.


MERV 11 offers more enhanced filtration than MERV 8 but less than MERV 13. The main advantages of MERV 11 are superior filtration, cost efficiency, and moderate energy consumption. After all, despite the increased air quality with MERV 11 filters, they may require changing more often.

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MERV 13 Filters: Superior Filtration with a High Probability for Nasty Environments

MERV 13 filters exhibit high filtration efficiency since they have the ability to capture particles as small as 0.3-1.0 μm, including the ultra fine bacteria, smoke, and other small particles. They are, therefore, more often used in areas where air is required to be critically clean.


Benefits of MERV

  • Better Air Quality: Capturing even the smallest particles from the air and maintaining the best air quality.

  • Critical environment: Ideal for the environments where critical air quality is needed.

  • Protection from Microorganisms: The ability to capture microscopic elements in the air is a critical barrier against disease-spreading mechanisms such as bacteria and viruses.


Nevertheless, the capability to capture more than just dust means that MERV 13 filters also accumulate particles quickly, which can lead to reduced ventilation if not maintained regularly.

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Filter Maintenance and its Impact on Efficiency and Cost Savings

Let's check out how the effects of maintaining the filters translate to MERV 8, 11, and 13 filters.


MERV 8 Filters: Generally, these filters have much lower efficiency and therefore, need to be replaced much less frequently. However, if the commercial space has a propensity for dust or there is high occupant foot traffic, it might be advisable to change them more frequently.

MERV 11 Filters: These are better filters that provide an improved filtration mechanism, but these can also trap a large number of particles and hence get mired quickly. Periodic inspection and timely replacement needs to be done to enable smooth functioning.

MERV 13 Filters: Due to their high efficiency, MERV 13 filters will clog faster. This becomes a critical issue where the airflow is required to run at full capacity, making it easier for the system to become overworked.


On the other hand, more highly rated filters, MERV 11 and MERV 13, with proper maintenance, have the potential of energy cost savings even though they cost more at the point of purchase. This will ensure efficient HAVC operations and air quality in producing better work environments, thereby getting healthy and more productivity from employees.

Partnering with Burban Air Systems Ltd.

In order to get the right MERV filters, you need the right partner: a dependable commercial HVAC service provider who will ensure the system is giving you the life and performance it is designed to offer. Burban Air Systems Ltd., an industry leader with over 40 years of experience, offers one-stop-shop for maintenance and servicing of HVAC systems.

Our experienced team will be able to consult with you to determine the most appropriate MERV filters for your particular needs and then maintain them with a high level of detail so that your commercial HVAC system operates at optimum efficiency.


Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference in MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13 filters could be one of the big keys to improving your commercial HVAC system. A higher rated filter will give better filtration, but it also has to be maintained diligently enough so that it doesn't create excessive load on your systems. Choosing a filter requires not just choosing the right brand but, more importantly, ensuring timely maintenance so that the quality of air, savings, and operations are sustainable.

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