Furnace Filter Ratings Merv

According to this paper there s a well established connection between higher concentrations of particles in outdoor air and poor health outcomes so it would make sense that filtering these particles out of indoor air could lead to better health outcomes.

Furnace filter ratings merv.

Plus higher doesn t always mean better for homeowners. The chart below shows the merv ratings. So while higher merv ratings are more efficient the recommended merv ratings for residential filters are between merv 7 and merv 13. Minimum efficiency reporting value merv is a standard that rates the overall effectiveness of air filters.

In fact filters with these merv ratings perform as efficiently as true hepa filters. This rating system reports how well the filter captures and holds dust. Merv stands for minimum efficiency reporting value. Most airborne contaminants found in residential homes can be removed with an air filter within merv 7 and merv 13.

Higher value merv rating equates to finer filtration meaning fewer dust particles and other airborne contaminants can pass through the filter. The most recommended merv ratings for residential filters are between merv 7 and merv 13. 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. Furnace and air filters higher than merv 13 are typically found in a hospital environment where.

Merv ratings range from 1 to 16. Use this rating system compare filters made by different manufacturers. What merv should i use in my home furnace. In general filters with higher merv ratings are more effective and improve air quality but are also more expensive.

Merv ratings above 16 are typically used in specialized commercial settings where air filtration is critical such as hospitals. 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. 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. Read our blog for more information on how to choose the right filter for your furnace.

Merv filter ratings and air quality a position paper published by ashrae looked at the claim that particle filtration has health benefits. 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. The range is from 1 lowest efficiency to 20 highest efficiency.