Installing MERV 16 filters in HVAC systems vs. stand-alone air purifiers

[DonaldsRump]

Hi all:

I need some advise as to which is the better way to go to clean the air in our house: several standalone air-purifiers vs. getting an upgrade to our furnace that will allow a 5 inch MERV 16 filter that supposedly takes out most pollutants etc.

We have a 2 story house with 2 furnaces (no A/C). We live in the Bay Area, so most of the time, we don't need a/c.

However, with the fires from the last couple of weeks and the high heat, we couldn't open the windows. We had a few fans that made things slightly bearable. I then remembered we could use the fans on the furnace to also help and that also helped alot.

Anyways, we want to get our HVAC ducts cleaned, and the company, which is highly rated, also offers a filter upgrade, where you can replace the normal flimsy air filter with a 5 inch monster filter that is MERV 16.

Has anyone done this? What are the pros and cons of doing a filter change like this? Since we have forest fire smoke issues, I am concerned about the air we're breathing. From what I can see, good air purifiers are quite expensive, and we would have to buy several. Since we can use the fans on the furnace to circulate air, I'm wondering if the filter upgrade is the better way to go (keeping in mind we would have to do this twice since we have 2 furnaces).

Any thoughts would be MOST WELCOME!

Thank you!