MERV 12 or MERV 13 are the highest
efficiency
filter you can buy for this type of filter
The filtering materials used in the
filter make a difference in efficiency. When we refer to efficiency, we mean
how good a filter is at removing particles from the air flow. The more efficient,
the smaller the particles the filter will trap.
A national organization, ASHRAE, developed
the standard for testing filters. With this test, the results are express
in MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value). Simply stated, the higher the
MERV number, the more efficient the filter will be.
A MERV 12 filter
is more than twice as efficient as a MERV 8
in removing contaminants 1 micron in size. To
understand
how small 1 micron is, a human hair measures 100 microns.
Odor-Ban is a MERV 8 impregnated with
activated charcoal. This makes the filter about a MERV 9. A filter with Activated
Charcoal will remove foul odors and harmful gases found in a home or office,
as well as particulate matter.
Finally, keep in mind that the MERV
rating has nothing to do with size. MERV 8 and MERV 11 and MERV 12 are
all the same size filters.