What Is Merv Rating On Furnace Filters

At 3m we believe merv only tells part of the story.

What is merv rating on furnace filters.

Here s what we tell them. 1 4 merv this is the lowest end of filters. By installing an air filter with a high merv rating two things happen. Mpr measures ratings based on sizes 0 3 to 1 microns.

The three air filter rating systems differ in ranges and were created by separate organizations. But does that mean you should just get the air filter with the highest merv rating. Mpr microparticle rating is a rating system that includes microscopic particles not visible to the naked eye. First and foremost your air becomes cleaner which can help improve the longevity of your hvac system.

The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it. Merv ratings range from 1 16. Merv ratings extend from 1 to 16. 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.

Merv filter ratings and efficiency. The american society of heating refrigerating and air. Using an air filter with a merv rating higher than what your furnace or air. Merv ratings range from 1 to 16.

Read our blog for more information on how to choose the right filter for your furnace. But for most households a merv 7 or 8 filter might be the sweet spot between performance and cost. The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and contaminants can pass through it. When shopping for furnace air filters don t confuse merv with other rating systems that may appear on packaging especially from big box home improvement stores.

However high merv filters offer superior filtration trapping everything from construction dust and tobacco smoke to bacteria. Fpr ratings are on a scale from 4 through 10. What do the merv ratings mean. Many new jersey homeowners ask us about merv ratings especially when it comes to choosing between merv 8 and merv 11 air filters.

The merv filter rating is the domestic and international industry standard rating system established by the. Merv 17 through merv 20 filters are typically used in surgical operating rooms clean rooms and other contexts that require absolute cleanliness. In general air filters with higher merv ratings remove a higher percentage of airborne contaminants therefore improving your home s indoor air quality. Think of merv 8 filters as a good option and merv 11 filters as the better option for normal residential use.

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.