You simply pick your air filter size, choose how often you want to replace it, and we'll make sure that your new filter is there when you need it. The words making up the MERV acronym are a bit unwieldywhat did you expect from engineers?but the minimum efficiency part is the most important. 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. While the MERV chart covers 20 levels, these levels can be grouped to give you an idea of what a certain range of levels can capture and how effective each will be. The MERV rating scale is recognized nationally, so if you buy a filter rated at MERV 8 from one manufacturer, it will be the same from another. A filter's MERV number indicates how it's rated to remove these particles. Find out what the highest MERV-rated filter is that still allows for maximum airflow in your system. 99.97% of particles in the 0.3-micron range. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best furnace filters on Amazon to help you find the product thats right for you. Filtrete 20x25x4 Air Filter MPR 1550 DP MERV 12, Healthy Living Ultra Allergen Deep Pleat, 2-Pack, Fits Lennox & Honeywell Devices (exact dimensions 19.88x24.63x4.31) Visit the Filtrete Store 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 5,098 ratings Rather than use MERV ratings, though, they decided to create their own rating system. Keep reading to learn about the best furnace filters on Amazon. Now that you know why furnace filters are important, lets talk about the MERV rating you see on filter packaging. Be sure to let us know! This value is helpful in comparing the performance of different filters, The rating is derived from a test method developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) [see. While MERV 13 and 14 are recommended by the ASHRAE, its best to select a filter with the highest MERV rating possible for your specific HVAC system. This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. 3 m Allergn reduction filters. Filters rated between 14-20 are typically only used in hospitals and laboratories, where air needs to be as clean as possible. MERV ratings are from 1-16, and filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings. Filtrete. MERV air filter ratings range from 1 (least efficient captureability) to 16 (very efficient). Filters down to 10.0 micron particle size, Filters down to 3.010.0 micron particle size, Filters down to 1.03.0 micron particle size, Filters down to 0.31.0 micron particle size, Filters down to less than 0.30 micron particle size. These filters will capture a large portion of the airborne particles and improve indoor air quality without making your energy costs rise significantly. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. First, lets look at why choosing the right furnace filter is so important. When used in a multi-filter system, the pre-filters trap the dirt and large particles before the air reaches the final filters downstream, which then remove the smaller particles. These filters are typically the right choice for use in homes and many businesses. I had no idea. Like we just discussed, dirty filters or those with the wrong MERV rating restrict airflow. Most aluminum and mesh filters and cheap air filters fall within this range. 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. FilterBuy 16x25x1 Pleated HVAC AC Furnace Air Filter. The MERV rating given to a filter is usually based on its type. It can remove small particles such as dust mites, spray paint dust, carpet fibers, and pollen. You may have noticed MERV filter ratings on various air filters but may be wondering what is a MERV rating on filters? And if you want to filter out as much of the PM2.5 as you can, stick with the FPR-10 or find one that also has a MERV rating and go with MERV-16. It is compatible with most HVAC systems and comes in an affordable six-pack for whole-home protection. They dont come in high MERV ratings. Commonly used for facilities that house pharmaceutical manufacturing, orthopedic surgery rooms, radioactive and carcinogenic materials. Chances are good, though, that if a filter captures a lot of the small particles, it will capture even more of the larger particles. This article is not a substitute for review of current applicable government regulations, industry standards, or other standards specific to your business and/or activities and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Unlike the FPR, though, the MPR measures the effectiveness of a filters capturing only the smallest particles on the MERV scale: 0.3 to 1.0 microns. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS That said, the higher the MPR rating, the more expensive the filter will cost. The Complete Air Filter MERV Rating Chart - Grainger KnowHow Your furnace filter should be changed every three months, and when its time to buy a new filter, the options can be confusing. PDF HVAC Filter Selection and MERV Ratings: What Does It All Mean? - Hixson Their website says, Your filters MPR (Microparticle Performance Rating) indicates its ability to capture tiny particles between 0.3 and 1 micron in size.. Am I ok to do 20x25x1 MERV11s? Filters down to particles 10 microns in size. Filtrete Brand created some great options based on the type of change reminder you would like to use. It shouldnt come as a surprise to you that 3M, the company that makes, well, everything, also makes furnace filters. 1994-2023, W.W. Grainger, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. Use our guide to help find the best Filtrete Filter for your home. These tell you when its time to replace it via a companion app. And while these things are packed with media, they shouldnt have much more of an, 3M also recommends that you change filters, At Discount Filters, we have a wide selection of different. This furnace filter has the highest MERV rating in this review, so even the smallest particles . For details, download our product comparison guide (PDF, 5 MB). As you can see, youve got to step up your filter game to at least MERV-10 to get even half of the PM2.5. Though MERV 8 is known to be effective at filtering out contaminants such as pollen, dust mites, sawdust, mold spores, and lint from the air, higher MERV ratings will clean the air even further. Please click here to see any active alerts. MPR vs MERV | Filtrete Brand science | Filtrete These filters can remove smoke, bacteria, sneezes, carbon dust, and viruses. Four reasons to design duct systems with filters at the intakes. 1.0-3.0 greater than or equal to 90% Ive been looking into upgrading to better filters but dont want to mess up the furnace. The only advantage of the MERV 7 is it will capture mold spores. How Often Should Car Air Filters Be Changed When to Change Air Filters? As for MERV ratings, most of the products above range from 8 to 12 without impeding airflow. They dont provide easily available information on the sizes of what they call large and small particles so its hard to know what youre getting with a particular FPR rating. From Home Depot, check out the filters rated at . So none of these filters technically stop it directly. FilterBuy is another excellent source for furnace filters. Airflow through filters is rated based on pressure dropthe lower the pressure drop number, the better the airflow, and all of 3Ms filters pressure drop numbers are in the acceptable range. While airflow wont be overly restricted, your furnace will still be working hard to suck air, so dont be surprised if you see your electric bills raise some, primarily if youre used to MERV 1-4 or 5-9 filters. Using an air filter with a MERVrating higher than what your furnace or air conditioner manufacturer recommends can actually impair its performance. Or in English, "how effective is your air filter?" MERV. Another big question for me is I should buy the Filtrete MERV 7 or get the Filtrete MERV 5, which is currently $5.31 at Amazon. Some of those submicron particles include things like bacteria, smoke, and smog. To support this business model, ThisOld Housemay be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. So if youre working with a builder to design a system, keep that in mind. The MERV rating on a filter reflects the performance a particular duct velocity (which is supposed appear on the label). Below is a chart from John Semmelhack showing the percentage of particles removed by size range of particle and the MERV rating of the filter. From that, they reduced the scale to four numbers (4, 7, 9, or 10), with that rating coming from this weighted average: Sixty percent of the rating is determined by the filters ability to capture large particles, thirty percent is determined by its ability to capture small particles and weight gain over the filters lifetime determines the final ten percent. To help it work more efficiently and last longer, you need to choose filters with the right MERV rating, usually 7-12. You can follow him on Twitter at @EnergyVanguard. Dissatisfied customers said that the frame was lightweight and sometimes sustained damage. So we had a lot of catching up to do. For quick reference, Filtrete Filter dimensions (height x width x depth) are printed on the filter frame, so check there first. 3.0-10.0 greater than or equal to 95%, 0.30-1.0 greater than or equal to 95% So I dug into this in my home a little while ago. Lets try to break it down. It shouldnt come as a surprise to you that 3M, the company that makes, well, everything, also makes furnace filters. What kind of furnace filter seems to be the best fit for your system? But you really should think of MERV-13 as the minimum because it removes more than 85% of those particular little bitty invisible pieces of stuff. Because of its durability, the FilterBuy 16x25x1 Pleated HVAC AC Furnace Air Filter can last three times longer than other filters. Heres why furnace filters are so important. An industry standard for particle capture measurement. Another interesting thing. The American Society of Heating. Filtrete is a 3M brand, so you know its reliable. and our It is an acronym for "high efficiency particulate air [filter]" (as officially defined by the U.S. Dept. Determination of the system rating must include the filter housing. Not sure how to properly install your filter? Check out how MPR-rated Filtrete Filters outperform MERV standards. HEPA filters are often considered the best when it comes to removing contaminants from at-home air. Become a GBA Prime member and get full access to GBA articles, enyclopedia, videos, CAD library, and more. Filters down to particles 3 to 10 microns in size. In general, most residential systems can adequately remove airborne contaminants with a filter rated MERV 7-12, while MERV 13-20 is typically found in hospital and pharmaceutical manufacturing settings. Ratings Recommended Buying Guide Air Filter Buying Guide Updated September 14, 2022 Running your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump probably constitutes a big part of your utility bill. They work best in homes with allergy sufferers, smokers, or pets because theyre better at filtering out contaminants. I live n a small house with one medium dog. Youll want a filter thats the same size as the one thats currently being used in your HVAC system. On my next filter change Im going to repeat the experiment with Merv 8 and 11 and see if theres a difference but my initial impression is that MPR is BS. As for height and length, those vary a lot more. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Tested the pressure drop across it, pulled it out and replaced it with an mpr 1100 or whatever they say mercy 8 is equivalent to. The EPA found that simply replacing a dirty or incorrect filter with one recommended for your system will. Furnace filters can be disposable (pleated or fiberglass) or reusable. First, lets look at why choosing the right furnace filter is so important. These are available in MERV ratings 2-4. This makes it overheat and shut off. Go to Filtrete Home Filtration Products Navigation. This is an affordable option that keeps your furnace working efficiently while blocking out particulate matter. The MERV rating tells you what the furnace filter can block out, but understanding what each of the numbers means will help you decide which rating is right for you. Filters down to particles 1 to 3 microns in size. The pressure difference doesn't necessarily track with filtration effectiveness. The product can capture up to 64% of airborne particles from pet dander to pollen. 3M makes great filters, but if youre accustomed to MERV-rated filters, buying from 3M can cause some confusion. Your furnace or HVAC manual will give you guidelines on how frequently you need to change your filter. In general, a one-inch filter should be changed every 90 days. MERV 13 filters, for example, also scrub out bacteria, tobacco smoke, auto fumes, insecticide dust, pet dander, and more., which is why its the recommended rating of the ASHRAE. The MPR scale, however, uses much larger numbers. Filters come as a six-pack, so you save $14 with Nordic Pure, and Nordic Pure is made in the USA, whereas 3M Filtrete gets manufactured in Mexico. Purolator filters consistently get 4.5 and 5-star reviews from customers, and HVAC professionals widely recommend them. MERV-13 or the highest achievable filtration level. By Jennifer Noonan and Bob Vila Updated Mar 31, 2021 2:33 PM. Check your current furnace filter to find the correct size and thickness. The 10 Best Furnace Filters of 2023 - The Spruce Filtrete 20x25x4 Air Filter MPR 1550 DP MERV 12, Healthy Living Ultra Higher MERV ratings aren't always necessary and can decrease your unit's efficiency. QUICK TIP: The longest side is actually the width based on typical positioning of the filter in a heating and cooling system. Made of metal and. When selecting the right filter for your application, higher is not always better. You should also know about the best furnace filter brands and the different types and sizes of filters. But before you upgrade your filter, make sure your specific system can accommodate that rating. See why the MPR system is superior to the industry standard. Watch this video and see the MERV rating . 16+ MERV rated filters are much more expensive. He is also the author of the Energy Vanguard Blog. MERV 13-20 is typically found in hospital and general surgery settings. Also, if you want the filter to improve your indoor air quality and not just protect the heating and air conditioning system, go with MERV-13, FPR-10, MPR-1900, or higher. It is an acronym for "high efficiency particulate air [filter]" (as officially defined by the U.S. Dept. If you have a pet, suffer from allergies, or are a smoker, you might want to change your filter every 30-60 days. Understanding Filter Ratings: MERV, FPR, and MPR But particles that small usually hitchhike on larger particles. A place for homeowners, renters, tenants, business owners or anyone with a general question about their HVAC system. You might think that a higher MERV rating would automatically be better, but its not. Different MERV ratings, filter types, sizes, and brands are available. You need to find the rating that is not too high, not too low, but. If youre not ready to shell out anywhere from, When that happens, youll see your heating bills skyrocket. [Image Credit: David Springer, Home Energy Magazine article, Nov. 2009] They tested all the filters at the same width and height (16 x 25) but the depth varied from 1 to 4. Neglecting to change your air filter can cause all sorts of issues. In addition to being efficient, the product has a frame made with recycled beverage board paper, making it eco-friendly. Youll find them priced according to the brand, size, and MERV rating. A filter that falls within the 8-13 range can remove mold spores, lead dust, cooking dust, flour, hair spray, auto fumes, furniture polish, and welding fumes. Its a MERV 14 rating (same as the Filtrete 2800). These are the most common filter types. (I have water problems in the basement which are on the agenda) I checked my coil for biohazards and found it was spotless so I put in the 1100 and the mold smell went away. Filters that have higher MERV ratings will certainly improve air quality, but at the expense of: Filters with high MERV ratings are used in specialized locations where particulate matter and contaminants carry bigger risks, like in medical facilities and manufacturing facilities where medications are made. You just need to consider type, size, and brand to find the best filter for your furnace.