Furnace Filter Ratings Merv
The range is from 1 lowest efficiency to 20 highest efficiency.
Furnace filter ratings merv. 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. Use this rating system compare filters made by different manufacturers. The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it. The rating indicates the size of particles the air filter is designed to capture.
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. Minimum efficiency reporting values or mervs report a filter s ability to capture larger particles between 0 3 and 10 microns µm. Merv air filter ratings range from 1 least efficient captureability to 16 very efficient. Merv 5 to 7.
This value is helpful in comparing the performance of different filters the rating is derived from a test m. Merv 17 through merv 20 filters are typically used in surgical operating rooms clean rooms and other contexts that require absolute cleanliness. 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. A low merv rating means that the filter does not remove as many particulates from the air.
Merv stands for minimum efficiency reporting value. 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. Merv ratings range from 1 16. Merv stands for minimum efficiency reporting value which is a rating system designed by the american society of heating refrigerating and air conditioning engineers.
The american society of heating refrigerating and air. Ranging from 1 to 20 the larger the number the better the filter is at catching small. 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. This is an industry standard rating system.
This rating system reports how well the filter captures and holds. Conversely a high merv rating indicates that the filter does a good job of removing particulates from the air. A merv rating chart shows a numerical value.