What Is Merv Rating On Furnace Filters

Merv ratings range from 1 16.

What is merv rating on furnace filters.

The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and contaminants can pass through it. The three air filter rating systems differ in ranges and were created by separate organizations. Here s what we tell them. The american society of heating refrigerating and air.

Mpr measures ratings based on sizes 0 3 to 1 microns. Mpr microparticle rating is a rating system that includes microscopic particles not visible to the naked eye. At 3m we believe merv only tells part of the story. Think of merv 8 filters as a good option and merv 11 filters as the better option for normal residential use.

1 4 merv this is the lowest end of filters. Merv filter ratings and efficiency. In general air filters with higher merv ratings remove a higher percentage of airborne contaminants therefore improving your home s indoor air quality. However high merv filters offer superior filtration trapping everything from construction dust and tobacco smoke to bacteria.

Using an air filter with a merv rating higher than what your furnace or air. Below is a chart from john semmelhack showing the percentage of particles removed by size range of particle and the merv rating of the filter. Read our blog for more information on how to choose the right filter for your furnace. For a filter to get the merv 13 rating for example it must filter out a minimum of 90 of the pm10 a minimum of 85 of the pm2 5 and a minimum of 50 of the pm1 0.

First and foremost your air becomes cleaner which can help improve the longevity of your hvac system. Merv ratings extend from 1 to 16. Many new jersey homeowners ask us about merv ratings especially when it comes to choosing between merv 8 and merv 11 air filters. When selecting the right filter for your application higher is not always better.

When you want the best possible air filter for your home microparticles matter most they make up 99 of the particles that are in the air. But does that mean you should just get the air filter with the highest merv rating. What do the merv ratings mean. Merv 17 through merv 20 filters are typically used in surgical operating rooms clean rooms and other contexts that require absolute cleanliness.

But for most households a merv 7 or 8 filter might be the sweet spot between performance and cost. Fpr ratings are on a scale from 4 through 10. By installing an air filter with a high merv rating two things happen. Merv ratings range from 1 to 16.

The merv filter rating is the domestic and international industry standard rating system established by the.