MERV 13 air filters: what they capture
MERV 13 is the minimum the EPA names for a home filter upgrade. It captures at least 50% of particles from 0.3 to 1.0 microns on the EPA's MERV chart. It also captures at least 85% from 1.0 to 3.0 microns and at least 90% from 3.0 to 10.0.
| Particle size | MERV 13 captures at least |
|---|---|
| 0.3–1.0 µm | ≥ 50% |
| 1.0–3.0 µm | ≥ 85% |
| 3.0–10.0 µm | ≥ 90% |
The EPA names MERV 13 for an upgrade
The EPA says: “If you decide to upgrade to a higher efficiency filter, choose a filter with at least a MERV 13 rating, or as high a rating as your system fan and filter slot can accommodate.”
MERV 13 filters the makers list
| Maker and filter | Fits | Nominal size (in) | Life the maker lists |
|---|---|---|---|
| AprilAire 213 | AprilAire 1210, 1620, 2210, 2216, 3210, 4200, 2120 and 2200 with Upgrade Kit 1213, UV12, UV22 | 20H x 25W x 4D | 12 months |
| AprilAire 413 | AprilAire 1410, 1610, 2410, 2416, 3410, 4400, 2140 and 2400 with Upgrade Kit 1413, UV14, UV24 | 16H x 25W x 4D | 12 months |
| Honeywell Home FC200 | Honeywell Home media air cleaners | 16 x 20 x 4, 20 x 20 x 4, 16 x 25 x 4 and 20 x 25 x 4 (FC200E1003, E1011, E1029, E1037) | Up to 1 year |
| Lennox 19L16 | Lennox Healthy Climate HCC16-28 cabinet | 16 x 25 x 5 | Up to 12 months |
| Lennox 19L17 | Lennox Healthy Climate HCC20-28 cabinet | 20 x 25 x 5 | Up to 12 months |
| Filterbuy MERV 13 | Standard filter slots | 600+ standard sizes, such as 16x25x1 | Filterbuy: “Most homes do well on 90 days” (its subscription page) |
MERV 13 filter life depends on thickness
- The 4 in and 5 in cabinet filters above: up to 12 months, as each maker lists.
- Trane says thicker filters with higher MERV ratings “can be replaced less frequently”, at about 90 days.
- AprilAire's MERV 13 + Carbon filters: every six months.
MERV 13 next to MERV 8 and 11
In the 0.3–1.0 µm range, MERV 8 has no minimum, MERV 11 needs at least 20% and MERV 13 needs at least 50%. All three size ranges: MERV 8 vs 11 vs 13.
Sources
- EPA, What is a MERV rating? (page updated 2026-01-14): https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-merv-rating, accessed 2026-10-28
- NAFA, Understanding ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2 (January 2026, PDF), Tables 2 and 3: https://www.nafahq.org/assets/pdf/522BrochureJanuary2026/, accessed 2026-10-28
- AprilAire, 213 MERV 13 Air Filter (undated page): https://shop.aprilaire.com/products/aprilaire-213-replacement-filter, accessed 2026-10-27
- AprilAire, 413 MERV 13 Air Filter (undated page): https://shop.aprilaire.com/products/aprilaire-413-replacement-filter, accessed 2026-10-27
- Resideo, Honeywell Home Filter Replacement Guide, form 50-1312 (08/20, PDF): https://customer.resideo.com/resources/Techlit/TechLitDocuments/50-0000s/50-1312.pdf, accessed 2026-10-28
- Lennox, Healthy Climate HCC media air cleaners bulletin, form 210450 (August 2025, PDF): https://www.lennox.com/dA/a1d2030a9b/ehb_hcc_2508.pdf, accessed 2026-10-28
- Filterbuy, Air filter subscription (updated September 24, 2026): https://filterbuy.com/air-filter-subscription/, accessed 2026-10-28
- Trane, Furnace Filter Guide (updated 2025-09-08): https://www.trane.com/residential/en/resources/troubleshooting/gas-furnaces/furnace-filter-guide/, accessed 2026-10-28
- AprilAire, Air Purifiers and Air Filters FAQs (updated 2026-03-13): https://www.aprilaire.com/blog/aprilaire-air-purifiers-and-air-filters-faqs, accessed 2026-10-28