When it comes to air filters, the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating is a measure of how effectively the filter prevents dust and other contaminants from passing through. MERV indices range from 1 to 16, with higher numbers indicating more effective filtration. In general, a MERV rating between 6 and 13 is recommended for most homes, as it offers a good balance between air filtration, airflow, and affordability. An air filter with a MERV 13 rating can last up to six months before needing to be replaced.For oven filters, a MERV rating of 6 to 8 is suggested to achieve maximum efficiency and home comfort.
If your family has allergies or respiratory issues such as asthma, you may want to invest in filters with higher MERV ratings. The construction technology group ASHRAE points out that, while the virus that causes COVID-19 measures less than 0.3 microns, it is often embedded in other airborne particles that are large enough to be captured by air filters with a higher MERV rating.As air circulates through a building's air conditioning system, air filters trap and accumulate large and small particles such as dust, allergens, and microorganisms. Reducing air flow in the system can worsen the quality of the home's air and put harmful pressure on the boiler fan or air conditioning system. You can use the following table to better understand how filters classified with FPR and MPR compare to those of the more standard MERV classification system.The MERV rating is used to evaluate the efficiency of an air filter based on its effectiveness in trapping particles of different sizes.
Pleated filters type MERV 8 to 13 are more effective than fiberglass filters at filtering small particles and reducing pressure drop (this is the closest thing to MerVana). Studies have found that 81.5% of dust particles introduced into a MERV filter were successfully filtered from the air.Researchers from India compiled a series of studies that considered the effect of air filtration on indoor air quality and the resulting positive health outcomes. These studies found that filtering recirculated air improved microvascular function in healthy older people, improved other types of vascular function in healthy adults, and improved lung function in indigenous communities, among other benefits.Although ASHRAE recommends MERV models 13 and 14, it's best to select a filter with the highest possible MERV rating for your specific air conditioning system. For example, a better MERV rating doesn't always mean that a filter is the best option for your oven.
