The short answer is that it can, but it's not really a problem except in extreme circumstances. Most modern HVAC systems have no problem working with. Most modern HVAC systems have no problem working with higher merv filters, so 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're aware of changing filters, you're unlikely to experience filter-related issues with your HVAC system. Usually, a filter with a higher merv rating will reduce airflow. However, there are many other factors at play, such as the size of the filter and the type of fan motor in your HVAC system. A MERV rating is a good indicator 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. Using an air filter with a MERV rating that is too high is as bad as using one that is too low. Air filters with higher merv ratings may filter more, but the thickness of the filter material may restrict airflow.
Restricted airflow can decrease comfort, increase energy use, and accelerate wear of HVAC components. In particular, using an air filter with a too high MERV rating can damage the compressor, heat exchanger, and air conditioner coil. The AC coil inside or near your furnace or air handler gets very cold as it draws heat out of the space and pumps it out. A normal flow of warm air over the coil will prevent its surface from falling below 32F.
Low airflow allows coil to freeze cool. Then the moisture in the air freezes and the coil is covered with ice. At that time, your air conditioning system can't do its job. The goal of using a MERV 12 or higher filter is a better IAQ: cleaner, more breathable air for everyone, and especially for those with allergies, asthma, COPD, etc.
If you are in a situation where you should not use a high MERV (12+) filter for your oven or air conditioner and would like to research air purifiers, here are two suggestions. In general, filters with higher MERV ratings capture higher percentages of particulate matter as well as smaller particles. And MERV-13* is practically where you want to be. They also found that airflow in high-MERV filters dropped by 7% and 11% in the two HVAC systems compared to low-MERV filters.
Similarly, the medium MERV filters also showed decreased airflow relative to the low MERV filters, this time 3% and 8% lower in both systems. Although the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) suggests MERV 13, it may not be the most efficient option for some residential HVAC systems. Filter technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, and MERV ratings are designed to help us determine the most effective and efficient air filter options for heating and cooling systems and beyond. I just watched an FB video from AI I just saw an FB video of a British doctor who says that vacuum bags are NOT safe for masks, since they contain fiberglass, which is very bad for breathing (and worse when the bags have been cut to make inserts) IF, however, the MERV air filters are, as I am reading, made of polyester and cotton, they should be safe.
They also found “a clear trend toward lower airflow with higher MERV filters for systems using PSC motors.”. If your home's HVAC system isn't capable of handling MERV 13, opt for a filter with the next highest possible rating. On average, it is recommended that most homes and retail spaces in general have a filter with a MERV rating of at least 5 to 12 in the high-end. I just published a new article on the topic of using high-performance HVAC filters in homemade coronavirus masks.
Low-efficiency filters are typically found within MERV 1-4 and high-efficiency filters are MERV 13 and later. A MERV 13 filter is likely to be helpful if the goal is to prevent droplets from passing through it. Many people don't consider how a filter with a high MERV rating will affect other parts of the HVAC system. With all due respect Allison, With all due respect Allison, I question the need for the MERV 13 leak.
Also, if I tried this modification of the MERV13 filter myself, I would make many filter discs and change them after each exposure to several people. In addition, a MERV 12 filter that is only 1 inch (1 inch) thick is likely to be more restrictive than a 4 inch (four inch) thick MERV 12 filter. . .
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