What are MERV Filter Ratings?

MERV in relation to your heating and cooling sytem 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 advance through the filter, which can be helpful to the operation of the HVAC system. It’s important to have the perfect mix of air filter and MERV rating for your needs and your system. Call Calverley Service Experts Heating and Air Conditioning in Fort Worth today to let our experts walk you through which MERV rating is perfect for your home and family.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), which created the MERV rating, recommends filters with minimum MERV ratings of 6. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 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 indeed impact your indoor air quality, your family’s health and your lifestyle. So selecting the right air filter matters. Call Calverley Service Experts today at 817-380-5647. We offer a full range of air filtration choices, knowledge and expert service—and we’re here 24 hours a day for Fort Worth.