MERV-14 to 16 are used in facilities where it is critical to have extremely clean air such as operating theatres in hospitals. These filters can almost eliminate all airborne contaminants. Generally, these are not recommended for residential homes as it will greatly restrict the adequate airflow needed in a home. It is very important to meet halfway and make sure that you have enough airflow and removing as many contaminants as possible. Make sure you consult your HVAC specialists before you get a filter installed.

Within a typical home, the MERV-13 strikes the right balance between efficient filtering and adequate airflow. Filters in lower MERV ratings cannot catch contaminants on a smaller scale that can affect asthma, allergies or any other respiratory concerns. For example, a MERV-8 doesn’t filter out smog, smoke, virus carriers, cooking oil, and cough and sneeze particles.

Majority of viruses spread via droplet nuclei i.e. sneeze and cough particles which range from 1 to 5 microns. These droplets then evaporate and stay suspended in the air for a long time. The MERV-13 filter can remove up to 90% of contaminants within 1 to 10 microns and even up to 50% of 0.3 to 1 microns.