Determining the right MERV rating for your furnace filter can be difficult. There are various types of filters to use, and it might be hard to select a filter that best suits your needs. We’re here to help. Air Engineers Service Experts is your local HVAC Expert in Jacksonville, assisting you in making informed decisions for your home. Show Choosing the right furnace filter is all about balancing indoor air quality with your HVAC system’s capabilities. Getting filters with the right MERV ratings is essential to ensuring your air is well-filtered without overworking your HVAC system. What Does MERV Mean?A minimum efficiency reporting value, or MERV is a measurement system designed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). MERV ratings signify an air filter’s effectiveness at decreasing airborne particles and contaminants. A filter’s rating is determined by the minimum size particle it’s capable of trapping (measured in microns). As filters become more effective at improving indoor air quality, their MERV rating goes up, ranging from 1 to 20. Below, you will see a chart that can help you determine the necessary MERV rating for a variety of settings.
Other Measurement SystemsFamiliarity with MERV ratings might not be enough when you need to buy your furnace filter. For example, some big retailers use the filter performance rating (FPR), which ranges from 1-10 and measures a filter’s ability to capture large and small particles. You might also see the microparticle performance rating (MPR) system, which goes from 300 to 2200 and measures a filter’s effectiveness at trapping only the smallest particles on the MERV scale (0.3-1 microns in size). You can use the chart below to better understand how filters ranked with FPR and MPR stack up to the more standard MERV rating system.
What Should My Furnace Filter’s MERV Rating Be?Selecting the right MERV rating for your air filter is a balancing act between your HVAC system’s capabilities and the indoor air quality you want to achieve. For example, a better MERV rating doesn’t always mean that a filter is the best option for your furnace. In fact, as MERV rating goes up, air flow goes down—forcing your HVAC system to work harder to push air through your furnace, increasing the possibility of a potential breakdown. Before purchasing a new furnace filter, be sure to check if your HVAC system has a limit for MERV rating. If it does, be sure to buy a furnace filter with a MERV rating below your system’s maximum. If your family has allergy problems or serious respiratory issues like asthma, you may want to invest in filters with higher MERV ratings. Remember, there are always other options out there to improve your indoor air quality if your system can’t handle the MERV ratings you require. Generally speaking, our recommended MERV rating for furnace filters runs from 6 to 8 for a great balance between top furnace efficiency and home comfort. Choosingthe right MERV rating for your furnace filter has a major impact on your indoor air quality, your HVAC system and, most important, your family’s well-being. Let Air Engineers Service Experts help you make a smart decision. We have a complete line of air filtration options plus our Expert knowledge and service—and we’re available 24 hours a day for emergencies. Contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule your indoor air quality consultation in Jacksonville today! Is higher MPR better?*Your filter's MPR (Microparticle Performance Rating) indicates its ability to capture tiny particles between 0.3 and 1 micron in size. The higher the MPR, the more microparticles—such as pollen, pet dander, smoke, bacteria and viruses—your filter will capture from the air passing through it.
What MERV rating is 1500 MPR?MPR 1500 is equal to MERV Rating 11. MPR 1550 is equal to MERV Rating 11. MPR 1900 is equal to MERV Rating 11. MPR 2200 is equal to MERV Rating 13.
Is MPR 600 good enough?For most residential homes, a filter with an MPR 600 rating will be sufficient to filter out most dust, pollen, and mold. If you're familiar with the MERV rating scale, then an MPR 600 filter is roughly equivalent to a MERV 7 air filter.
Which is better MERV or MPR?The biggest difference between MERV and MPR is that MPR only measures microparticles which is in the 0.3 to 1 micron size range. MERV measures microparticles also, but only in filters rated at MERV 11 or higher.
|