When it comes to air filters, the Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) rating is an important factor to consider. This rating measures how effectively the filter prevents dust and other contaminants from passing through the filter into the air stream. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at trapping small particles. MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, with 1 being the lowest level of filtration and 20 being the highest.
Filters with a MERV rating of 1 to 4 are generally only used as pre-filters, while MERV ratings of 6 or higher are recommended by ASHRAE. The U. S. Department of Energy recommends a MERV 13 rating, and LEED recommends a minimum of MERV 8.When it comes to MERV 13-16 filters, they are capable of trapping 90% or more of particles in the 1.0-10.0 micron range.
MERV 13 will prevent less than 75% of 0.3-1.0 micron particles from passing through, while MERV 14 will get up to 84%, MERV 15 up to 94%, and MERV 16 can trap 95% or more of the smaller particles. Using an air filter with a MERV rating higher than recommended by the manufacturer of your oven or air conditioner may impair its performance. A higher MERV rating often means lower airflow, which can make the system work harder and use more energy to do its job. In addition, a MERV 12 filter that is only 1 (one inch) thick is likely to be more restrictive than a MERV 12 filter that is 4 (four inches) thick. Good MERV sorting efficiency will improve indoor air quality and reduce the spread of virus particles, such as COVID-19. Therefore, a filter with a MERV rating of at least 13 would efficiently capture COVID-19 virus particles and could help reduce the spread of COVID-19 indoors. Air filters of different sizes will have different prices, the same goes for the MERV rating of the filter.
Therefore, it is important to consider all factors when choosing an air filter for your home or business.
