Think of merv 8 filters as a good option and merv 11 filters as the better option for normal residential use.
Air filter merv rating 11.
The higher the merv rating on a filter the fewer dust particles and other contaminants that can pass through it.
What is a merv rating.
The chart below shows the merv ratings corresponding particle size ranges and efficiency level as measured by the percentage of particles captured.
Here s what we tell them.
An air filter s merv rating is a scale from 1 16 that describes the minimum efficiency of the air filter.
Mpr microparticle rating is a rating system that includes microscopic particles not visible to the naked eye.
A merv rating is a numerical value ranging from 1 lowest efficiency to 20 highest efficiency and tells the consumer how well the filter captures and holds dirt and dust of a specified size range.
The merv rating system is intended to be used to determine the filter s ability to remove particulates from the air.
As the merv rating increases the finer the filtration becomes.
Merv means minimum efficiency reporting value merv and is an industry standard that measures the overall effectiveness of air filters.
This type of air filter can theoretically remove at least 99 97 of dust pollen mold bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0 3 microns µm.
Also as doors and windows are opened and closed that too will introduce more of that particulate matter.
Hepa is a type of pleated mechanical air filter.
At 3m we believe merv only tells part of the story.
With finer filtration fewer airborne contaminates dust particles are allowed to pass through the filter.
It is an acronym for high efficiency particulate air filter as officially defined by the u s.
Note with poor air quality more frequent filter changes will be needed.
Merv 11 filters can filter particles as small as 0 3 micron or pm0 3.
A merv 11 filter only needs to stop 20 of particles in the 0 3 to 1 0 micron three to ten times bigger than a covid 19 particle a merv 12 only needs to stop 35 of particles under 0 3 micron and a merv 13 only needs to stop half.
What merv rating should i use.
An air filter s minimum efficiency reporting value merv rating measures how effectively the filter stops dust and other contaminants from passing through the filter and into the air stream.
A low merv rating means that the filter does not remove as many particulates from the air.
Filters with higher merv ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower merv ratings.
Many new jersey homeowners ask us about merv ratings especially when it comes to choosing between merv 8 and merv 11 air filters.
In this article we ll go into more detail about merv filters and how to choose the right one for your new.