What Is Merv Rating On Furnace Filters

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.

What is merv rating on furnace filters.

Using an air filter with a merv rating higher than what your furnace or air. Mpr measures ratings based on sizes 0 3 to 1 microns. 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. The merv filter rating is the domestic and international industry standard rating system established by the.

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. The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it. In general air filters with higher merv ratings remove a higher percentage of airborne contaminants therefore improving your home s indoor air quality. By installing an air filter with a high merv rating two things happen.

In this article we ll go into more detail about merv filters and how to choose the right one for your new. But for most households a merv 7 or 8 filter might be the sweet spot between performance and cost. Here s what we tell them. Merv filter ratings and efficiency.

Merv ratings range from 1 16. Many new jersey homeowners ask us about merv ratings especially when it comes to choosing between merv 8 and merv 11 air filters. Read our blog for more information on how to choose the right filter for your furnace. When selecting the right filter for your application higher is not always better.

What do the merv ratings mean. First and foremost your air becomes cleaner which can help improve the longevity of your hvac system. Merv ratings extend from 1 to 16. Merv 17 through merv 20 filters are typically used in surgical operating rooms clean rooms and other contexts that require absolute cleanliness.

But does that mean you should just get the air filter with the highest merv rating. The american society of heating refrigerating and air. 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.

1 4 merv this is the lowest end of filters. 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. Think of merv 8 filters as a good option and merv 11 filters as the better option for normal residential use. Merv ratings range from 1 to 16.

However high merv filters offer superior filtration trapping everything from construction dust and tobacco smoke to bacteria.