MERV in relation to your heating and cooling system stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, a value that lets us know the size of particles an air filter is designed to catch. Higher MERV ratings are better at capturing smaller particles. That’s why hospitals tend to use MERV 16 or higher, to capture the most pollutants possible.
Although lower MERV rated filters are less efficient overall, they let more air to go through the filter, which can assist the operation of the HVAC system. It’s important to have the appropriate mix of air filter and MERV rating for to meet your home’s needs and your system. Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today to let us help determine which MERV rating is ideal for your home and family.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), which created the MERV rating, advises filters with minimum MERV ratings of 6. The U.S. Department of Energy proposes a minimum of MERV 13. For the best overall solution for most homeowners, by an Air Purification System, which comes with a MERV 16 media filter, and you’ll be set for years.
Here’s how Air Filter MERV Ratings stack up:
- MERV 1 to 4— <20% of large particles (3 to 10 microns) are captured
- 5 to 7—Between 20% and 69% of large particles are captured
- 8 to 10—Approximately 85% of large particles and 50% of small particles (1.0 to 3.0 microns) are captured
- 11 to 16—More than 90% of large particles and between 70% and 90% of small particles are captured
- 17 to 20—Even the smallest particles (< 0.3 microns) are captured
The right MERV rating on the right filter could strongly influence impact your indoor air quality, your family’s health and your lifestyle. So picking the right air filter matters. Call Service Experts today at 866-397-3787. We carry a full range of air filtration choices, knowledge and expert service—and we’re here 24 hours a day.
| MERV RATING CHART |
| Standard 52.5 Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value | Dust Spot Efficiency | Arrestance | Typical Controlled Containment | Typical Applicaitons and Limitations | Typical Air Filter/Cleaner Type |
| 20 | n/a | n/a | < 0.30 pm particle size | Clean rooms | >99.999% eff. On 10-20 pm Particles |
| 19 | n/a | n/a | Virus (unattached) | Radioactive Materials | Particles |
| 18 | n/a | n/a | Carbon Dust | Pharmaceutical Man. | Particulates |
| 17 | n/a | n/a | All Combustion smoke | Carcinogenetic Materials | >99.97% eff. On 30 pm Particles |
| 16 | n/a | n/a | 0.3-1.0 pm Particle Size | General Surgery | Bag filter - Nonsupported microfine fiberglass or synthetic media, 12-36 in. deep, 6-12 pockets
Box filter - Rigid Style Cartridge
Filters 6 to 12" deep may use lofted or paper media |
| 15 | > 95% | n/a | All Bacteria | Hospital Inpatient Care |
| 14 | 90% - 95% | > 98% | Most Tobacco Smoke | Smoking Lunges |
| 13 | 89% - 90% | > 98% | Proplet Nuclei (Sneeze) | Superior Commercial Buildings |
| 12 | 70% - 75% | > 95% | 1.0-3.0 pm Particle Size Legionella | Superior Residential | Bag filter - Nonsupported microfine fiberglass or synthetic media, 12-36 in. deep, 6-12 pockets
Box filter - Rigid Style Cartridge
Filters 6 to 12" deep may use lofted or paper media |
| 11 | 60% - 65% | > 95% | Humidifier Dust Lead Dust | Better Commercial Buildings |
| 10 | 50% - 55% | > 95% | Milled Flour Auto Emissions | Hospital Laboratories |
9
| 40% - 45% | > 90% | Welding Fumes
|
| 8 | 30% - 35% | > 90% | 3.0-10.0 pm Particle Size | Commercial Buidlings | Pleated Filters - Disposable, extended surface area, thick with cotton-polyester blend media, cardboard frame
Cartridge Filters - Grated density viscous coated cube or pocket filters, synthetic media
Throwaway - Disposable synthetic panel liner |
| 7 | 25% - 30% | > 90% | Mold Spores
Hair Spray | Better Residential |
| 6 | < 20% | 85% - 90% | Fabric Protector
Dusting Aids | Industrial Workplace |
| 5 | < 20% | 85% - 90% | Cement Dust
Pudding Mix | Paint Booth Inlet |
| 4 | < 20% | 75% - 80% | > 10.0 pm Particle Size
Pollen | Minimal Filtration | Throwaway - Disposable synthetic panel liner
Washable - Aluminum Mesh
Electrostatic - Self-charging woven panel filter |
| 3 | < 20% | 70% - 75% | Dust Mites
Sanding Dust | Residential |
| 2 | < 20% | 65% - 70% | Spray Paint Dust | |
| 1 | < 20% | < 65% | Textile Fibers
Carpet Fibers | Window A/C Units |