MERV 16 filters are the perfect choice for anyone looking to eliminate germs such as viruses, bacteria, and mold from their home. With an efficiency of 98%, these filters capture 98% of viruses in the air, making them ideal for those with allergies, asthma, elderly residents, or a compromised immune system. MERV 16 filters are often used in places such as hospitals, where there is a high level of unknown airborne bacteria and viruses that can spread through air ducts. These filters are more efficient than traditional filters, which tend to be around 50% efficient at the submicron level.
In fact, some MERV 16 filters are more efficient than 95%, putting them on par with a true HEPA filter. When comparing air filters, it is essential to review the MERV rating or the minimum efficiency report value. If you can afford one and your oven or air conditioner can use a MERV 16 filter, there's no reason not to buy one. This is especially true if your house was built before the 1980s, when the use of asbestos-containing building materials was fairly common, or if you live in a wildfire-prone state.
The Lennox 16x25x5 filter has combined MERV 16 filtration with a carbon-coated fiber matrix, adding ozone and odor reduction capabilities to the industry's most efficient air filter. AprilAir MERV 16 filters can eliminate up to 99%* of allergy and asthma triggers, such as smoke, pollen, mold and more. HEPA filters are 99.97% efficient at capturing particles with a diameter of 0.3 microns, while most MERV 16 filters offer efficiencies of approximately 95%. This filter offers industry-leading MERV 16 filtration, plus carbon-coated fibers to remove particles from the air in your home. Smoke particles tend to be very small, with a size range close to the wavelength of visible light (0.4-0.7 microns) and today, MERV 16 filters offer best-in-class performance in that particle size range. The Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) is an effectiveness scale for air filters developed by ASHRAE in 1987. In reality, the resistance of a filter depends on several factors that are not related to its MERV rating.
