What Is Merv Rating On Furnace Filters

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What is merv rating on furnace filters.

By installing an air filter with a high merv rating two things happen. Merv ratings extend from 1 to 16. The merv filter rating is the domestic and international industry standard rating system established by the. 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.

In general air filters with higher merv ratings remove a higher percentage of airborne contaminants therefore improving your home s indoor air quality. The three air filter rating systems differ in ranges and were created by separate organizations. 1 4 merv this is the lowest end of filters. 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.

Mpr measures ratings based on sizes 0 3 to 1 microns. 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. Mpr microparticle rating is a rating system that includes microscopic particles not visible to the naked eye.

The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and contaminants can pass through it. The american society of heating refrigerating and air. Using an air filter with a merv rating higher than what your furnace or air. Think of merv 8 filters as a good option and merv 11 filters as the better option for normal residential use.

Many new jersey homeowners ask us about merv ratings especially when it comes to choosing between merv 8 and merv 11 air 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. But does that mean you should just get the air filter with the highest merv rating. 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.

However high merv filters offer superior filtration trapping everything from construction dust and tobacco smoke to bacteria. First and foremost your air becomes cleaner which can help improve the longevity of your hvac system. Merv ratings range from 1 16. Here s what we tell them.

Merv 17 through merv 20 filters are typically used in surgical operating rooms clean rooms and other contexts that require absolute cleanliness. The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it. When selecting the right filter for your application higher is not always better. Merv ratings range from 1 to 16.

Merv filter ratings and efficiency.