Furnace Filter Ratings Merv

Merv stands for minimum efficiency reporting value which is a rating system designed by the american society of heating refrigerating and air conditioning engineers.

Furnace filter ratings merv.

A merv rating chart shows a numerical value. Merv ratings range from 1 16. Minimum efficiency reporting values or mervs report a filter s ability to capture larger particles between 0 3 and 10 microns µm. This value is helpful in comparing the performance of different filters the rating is derived from a test m.

While merv ratings reflect a filter s ability to trap both microscopic and macroscopic particles mpr ratings only grade a filter on its capacity to remove particles from 0 3 to 1 microns. One of the best furnace filters for cigarette smoke is the nordic pure pleated ac furnace air filter which boasts a high merv rating and rave reviews. The american society of heating refrigerating and air. Merv 17 through merv 20 filters are typically used in surgical operating rooms clean rooms and other contexts that require absolute cleanliness.

This is an industry standard rating system. Use this rating system compare filters made by different manufacturers. The range is from 1 lowest efficiency to 20 highest efficiency. An air filter s merv rating is a scale from 1 16 that describes the minimum efficiency of the air filter.

For reference a typical dust particle is between 2 and 8 microns while pollen starts at 7 microns and can get up to 70 microns in size. Merv air filter ratings range from 1 least efficient captureability to 16 very efficient. A low merv rating means that the filter does not remove as many particulates from the air. Conversely a high merv rating indicates that the filter does a good job of removing particulates from the air.

The rating indicates the size of particles the air filter is designed to capture. In general filters with a rating of merv 16 or below are considered to be hvac system grade filters for residential commercial and general hospital use. This rating system reports how well the filter captures and holds. Merv stands for minimum efficiency reporting value.

Owen said filters in this range like this merv 7 nordic pure were created as an improvement on the basic merv 1 to 4 filters and designed to also filter out midsize particles 3. Many homes use filters with a merv rating of 1 4 which mostly filter out dust lint and pollen among other larger common particles they do very little to trap small microparticles. The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it.