What Is Merv Rating On Furnace Filters

When selecting the right filter for your application higher is not always better.

What is merv rating on furnace filters.

The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it. Fpr ratings are on a scale from 4 through 10. 1 4 merv this is the lowest end of filters. At 3m we believe merv only tells part of the story.

Merv filter ratings and efficiency. Merv 17 through merv 20 filters are typically used in surgical operating rooms clean rooms and other contexts that require absolute cleanliness. 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 16.

Many new jersey homeowners ask us about merv ratings especially when it comes to choosing between merv 8 and merv 11 air filters. What do the merv ratings mean. But does that mean you should just get the air filter with the highest merv rating. Here s what we tell them.

First and foremost your air becomes cleaner which can help improve the longevity of your hvac system. By installing an air filter with a high merv rating two things happen. Mpr measures ratings based on sizes 0 3 to 1 microns. Merv ratings range from 1 to 16.

In general air filters with higher merv ratings remove a higher percentage of airborne contaminants therefore improving your home s indoor air quality. The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and contaminants can pass through it. 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. Using an air filter with a merv rating higher than what your furnace or air.

However high merv filters offer superior filtration trapping everything from construction dust and tobacco smoke to bacteria. In this article we ll go into more detail about merv filters and how to choose the right one for your new. 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. But for most households a merv 7 or 8 filter might be the sweet spot between performance and cost.

Merv ratings extend from 1 to 16. The merv filter rating is the domestic and international industry standard rating system established by the. 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. 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.

The american society of heating refrigerating and air.