What Is Merv Rating On Furnace Filters

Merv ratings extend from 1 to 16.

What is merv rating on furnace filters.

Think of merv 8 filters as a good option and merv 11 filters as the better option for normal residential use. First and foremost your air becomes cleaner which can help improve the longevity of your hvac system. Merv 17 through merv 20 filters are typically used in surgical operating rooms clean rooms and other contexts that require absolute cleanliness. 1 4 merv this is the lowest end of filters.

Mpr microparticle rating is a rating system that includes microscopic particles not visible to the naked eye. Many new jersey homeowners ask us about merv ratings especially when it comes to choosing between merv 8 and merv 11 air 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. 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.

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. 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. But for most households a merv 7 or 8 filter might be the sweet spot between performance and cost.

The american society of heating refrigerating and air. But does that mean you should just get the air filter with the highest merv rating. The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it. Merv filter ratings and efficiency.

Merv ratings range from 1 to 16. Here s what we tell them. 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. Using an air filter with a merv rating higher than what your furnace or air.

The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and contaminants can pass through it. Read our blog for more information on how to choose the right filter for your furnace. Mpr measures ratings based on sizes 0 3 to 1 microns. At 3m we believe merv only tells part of the story.

The merv filter rating is the domestic and international industry standard rating system established by the. Merv ratings range from 1 16. When selecting the right filter for your application higher is not always better. The three air filter rating systems differ in ranges and were created by separate organizations.

In this article we ll go into more detail about merv filters and how to choose the right one for your new.