In particular, using an air cleaner with a MERV rating that is too high can damage the compressor, heat exchanger, and air conditioner coil. For example, if bacteria ranges from 0.3 microns to 4 microns, the chart indicates a MERV 13 would be the minimum rating to select, and higher MERV-rated filters should be selected with the end users' level of comfort and This is how they get the name MERV (MINIMUM Efficiency Rating Value). 2. It should be noted that pressure drop through a high-MERV filter varies depending on the velocity of the air flow. "acceptedAnswer": { } Their average efficiency from 3 to 10 micron is less than 20. 11 filters 11 merv 13 filters 13 merv 8 filters air air filter air filters air flow air purifier air purifiers air quality airborne airborne particles airflow allergens allergies allergy as dust as merv asthma bacteria best air by particle carbon carbon dust clean cleaner cleaning covid dust dust mites dust particles electrostatic filter filter's filtering filters filters air filtration furnace filter hepa hepa filters higher merv higher merv rating home home air homes household humidifier dust indoor air insecticide dust is merv large particles lead dust manufacturer manufacturers manufacturing merv merv filter merv rating merv ratings merv scale merv stands microparticle performance rating mold mold spores more particles my filter particle particle size particles performance rating pharmaceutical manufacturing purifier purifiers rating rating chart ratings refrigerating and air room sanding dust small particles smaller particles smoke technology these filters these particles this filter this rating to air tobacco smoke usa virus viruses water filters what does merv which merv which merv rating. These particles are 1-3 microns. Resistance is measured in inches water gauge (w.g.) Get more great content like this sent to your inbox. They also found that airflow in the high MERV filters decreased by 7% and 11% in the two HVAC systems compared to the low MERV filters. The performance ratings given above are adapted from equivalent EU and MERV ratings and test classifications for filters as outlined in AS1324.1, EN779 and ASHRAE52. As you can see above, research shows that in general, HVAC systems with high MERV* filters have a higher pressure drop across the entire filter. Which is not recommended, and could cause increased energy bills, and undue wear on your HVAC unit. A MERV 13 pleated air filter, the highest quality offering from Second Nature and most other filter companies, has a pressure drop of around 0.25. They are usually reserved for superior commercial applications. Woodhead Publishing, 2017. This one of the main reasons why it is so important to check, change, and clean your air filter every month to help ensure your air filters pressure drop does not get too high and cause strain on your air conditioner/handler. You can see from the MERV scale above that MERV 10 filter will filter out 85% of 3.0-10.0 m particles. MERV-15: Not a common filter efficiency, MERV-15 will sometimes be called a 95%+ filter as that was it's label under 52.1 This filter tends to get overlooked as it is between two very common high efficiency air filter values and although the static pressure is more comparable to 14 than 16, and the pricing is typically not too much more than 14, "@type": "Answer", How often should I change my filter if I have a high MERV rating? It ensures reliable and consistent testing of air filter performance. Source: www.doityourself.com. The scale rates how well a filter removes fine particulates from the incoming air. 1994-2021, W.W. Grainger, Inc. All Rights Reserved. "name": "Does the material affect the pressure drop of the filter? Refer below to four average contaminant size intervals for MERV rating consideration. You can also reach us by phone at (585) 288-1600 or send an email to hello@rpfedder.com to get started. A MERV rating chart shows a numerical value. Can you provide some insight on how ASHRAE 52.2 Appendix J plays a role in the data tables mentioned above? HEPA, ULPA, and ASHRAE filters are typically used in commercial and industrial environments or in applications. Hot or cold spots throughout your home? Again, it has a pleated design. "text": "An air filters pressure drop is the measurement of resistance to air that passes through the filter. Likewise, the mid-MERV filters also showed decreased air flow relative to the low-MERV filters, this time 3% and 8% lower in the two systems. This part is common to the three previous studies. The higher the MERV rating, the more particles the filter will remove. But before you update the filter, make sure it's specific. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. A filter with a MERV rating of between 1-6 can remove particles anywhere between 0.3 to 10 microns with an effectiveness of 20%. They begin at MERV 1 and go as high as MERV 20, with filters rated MERV 16 through 20 being mainly used in hospitals, research laboratories, computer labs, etc. The High Capacity MERV 14 Media filter (HC-14) provides a large volume of dust capacity. They are available for the home and business. Pros. 3M Pro Series Residential Air Cleaning Filters 4" and 5" filters last up to 6 to 12 months. This could be because your system is moving too much or not enough air through its ductwork. This chart shows their stated resistance to air flow in inches of water column (IWC/i.w.c.) The lower the pressure drop the easier it is for air to flow through the filter." } should be helpful in determining the MERV rating of the filter once the particulate size has been determined. It is an acronym for "high efficiency particulate air [filter]" (as officially defined by the U.S. Dept. 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. PICKHVAC Terms of Use: Some of the products seen on our site are delivered through a relationship with outside suppliers like Networx.com, Google, and others. The mid-MERV is twice as much and the high-MERV is three times as much. } Need more details? Pressure drop describes what happens when air pressure is decreased from one section in an HVAC system to another section downstream. The majority of residential HVAC systems use a 1" thick filter, but filters are available at 2", 4" and 5" thick. "@type": "Question", Firstly, MERV ratings range between a 1 and 20 scale, which denotes the effectiveness and efficiency of filters to catch specific air-particle sizes. (State-By-State Chart), How To Convert Therms To kWh? Average Particle Size Efficiency in Microns, 1.0-3.0 greater than or equal to 20% Guaranteed against media pack failure to 5.0 w.g. These filters are installed in two air handling units (AHUs) in the Delaware Biotechnology Institute. Do you know what could happen if you didnt get the right ones? Weve identified that there is an increase in pressure drop and energy costs when switching to MERV 13 or higher filters. The Maxum electrostatic is a great air purifier for your home. Higher MERV But Lower Air Resistance Can Happen. "@type": "Answer", This guideline determines a filters performance by particle size. Thickness of the filter. While it is not important to fully understand the comparison chart, it is good to familiarize yourself with it. } "@type": "Answer", This value is used at the filters lowest efficiency. Hi Nash, ASHRAE 52.2 is the source of all MERV effectiveness data. 3M Filtrete MERV 5 Review Conclusion. The Back pressure from this filter is 0.22 WG. Efficiency is measured by the percentage of particles captured. Because the pleated design creates more surface area, which is a less restrictive design. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of an air filter (from 1 to 20) measures how much dust, pollen, mold spores, and other contaminants pass through that filter to enter the indoor airstream. 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 0.3microns (m). Once the filter is fully loaded the filter will reach its final pressure drop. Where to find MERV and IR: This information is printed on the edge of the frame of the filter and can be seen before you purchase it. Close pleats in 5" depth minimize pressure drop and extend filter life example: Source: www.merv8.com "name": "Does air filter pressure drop change? Additional annual savings of $2,413 are realized via lower change out costs, reduced solid waste, reduced CO2 emissions AND lower purchase price. Not as taxing on your HVAC system. At LakeAir, we recommendMERV 10 filtersas our good air filter. This will NEVER affect our opinion of a product or service! MERV10, MERV 13, and MERV16) Pressure Drop Chart Static Pressures at variable CFM (in W.C.) Filter Number = 410 (MERV10), 413 (MERV 13), 416 (MERV16) CFM 400 = .03, .05, .07 CFM 800 = .07, .10, .13 They may negatively affect certain HVAC systems. The diameter specification of 0.3microns responds to the worst case; the most penetrating particle size (MPPS). MERV 12 filter, for comparison, will filter out 90% of the same particles. } We will help you understand your best air filtration options. Conclusions Drawn from the MERV 13 Pressure Drop Chart $3,834 will be saved annually per AHU in reduced fan energy by using 5-Star air filters. They remove the bulk of dust we see in homes and offices. The higher the number, the more restricted the airflow. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. A 1 MERV 13 pleated filter has a pressure drop of around 0.27, and a 1 MERV 8 has a pressure drop of around 0.14. The range is from 1 (lowest efficiency) to 20 (highest efficiency). But what is MERVrating, exactly? The following example illustrates how this can play out for a hospital investing in higher quality filters to reduce their energy and filter replacement costs. The poorest performance of the filter on all three particles sizes during each of the 6 cycles is used to determine the filters MERV rating. 0.3-1.0 m MERV ratings are derived from the ASHRAE 52.2-2012 test which groups the particles sizes into three categories. However, if you are trying to filter out COVID-19 virus, they call for a MERV 13 or as high as your system can accommodate. Has the lowest pressure drop of any fine fiber 4 deep mini-pleated filter. Estimated energy cost reduction from high capacity air filters, normalized for airflow: ($0.463/cfm $0.575/cfm) / $0.575/cfm = -19.5%. The higher the pressure drop the more restrictive the filter is to air flow. The test duct fans can operate up to a speed of 750 fpm. The rating describes a filter's effectiveness at removing particles from the air. This Standard is what led to the creation of the minimum efficiency reporting value, or MERV. air), Latent Heat (BTU/hr) = 0.69 x CFM x gr. Pre filters are rated MERV 2. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here's what you're not being told. The furnace filter removes at least 90% of solid pollutants that measure 3.0 to 10 microns in diameter. Thickness of the filter. As the MERV rating increases the media typically becomes loftier and thicker, to capture more air pollutants, with this you could see slightly more air restriction." He holds an HVAC associate degree from Lone Star College and EPA & R-410A Certifications. MERV stands for "Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value" and is a system used to determine how efficiently an air filter can clean the air in your home with each use. In other words: HEPA filters are better than anything MERV rating can measure. Besides the basic need for good indoor air quality (IAQ), many extremely relevant reasons exist in 2020 to discuss air filters, according to Kathleen Owen, Fellow ASHRAE, member of the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force, and Carolyn (Gemma) Kerr, Ph.D., Life Member ASHRAE. For reference, a typical dust particle is between .2 and 8 microns, while pollen starts at 7 microns and can get up to 70 microns in size. Our test duct is 8 feet long, two feet wide and two feet high. Generally, increasing filter efficiency leads to increased pressure drop which can lead to reduced air flow through the HVAC system, more . "@type": "Question", ", The M in MERV rating stands for Minimum. As you can see, the HEPA filters surpass the most restrictive 0.3-1.0 micron particle size interval MERV rating is based upon. This method tests Air-Cleaning Devices for dust removal efficiency. When used as final filters, they are the primary filters for an HVAC system. The MERV scale ranges from 1 to 20, and on the lower end of the scale MERV 1 filtration can capture particles as small as 10 microns with 65% efficiency, and on the higher end of the scale MERV 20 filtrations can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns with 95% efficiency. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating indicates the effectiveness of an air filter (from 1 to 20) at trapping particles suspended in air. 3. When your HVAC system is running the filter slows and limits the air that is being pulled through your vents and ducts. Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, or MERVs, report a filter's ability to capture larger particles between 0.3 and 10 microns (m). Watch helpful videos from AFI. 99.97% or better for all particle sizes). That's all. This website uses cookies. Each filter is assigned a rating based on how much debris a filter manages to block when circulating air. All air cleaners require periodic cleaning and filter replacement to function properly. ", The health benefits of particle filtration are proportional to "the reduction in total exposure to particles less than 2.5 m in diameter. If you're looking at air filters rated for MPR compared to air filters rated by the MERV filter rating system, you can reference this chart below: MPR 600 is equal to MERV Rating 8; MPR 1000 is equal to MERV Rating 8; MPR 1200+ is equal to MERV Rating 11; MPR 1500 is . 52.1-1992 ASHRAE Test Procedure ATMOSPHERIC DUST SPOT EFFICIENCY 1. It is not recommended to continue to use your filter beyond its final pressure drop point. We cannot assume that the two AHUs operate at the same airflows, so the costs normalized for airflow are best used to make an estimate of annual energy savings by using 5-Star air filters. We are hiring! MERV Ratings 17-20 reflect values that are used in the rating of HEPA and ULPA filters. 2/11/20 Levels 17 and above are used . They never need to be replaced. This MERV rating chart has the MERV ratings, 1-16 on the left hand column and then there are five other columns showing the average efficiency in microns, average arrestance and the final resistance as measured in inches of water. But lets start with what kind of particles are between 0.3 and 10 microns: Lets look at examples of two filters with 10 MERV and 14 MERV ratings. Filter Rating: MERV 8-10 | FPR 5| MPR 600.MERV 8 air flow & pressure drop Sold in Packs of 624x24x4 MERV 8 furnace A/C filters are made with electrostatically charged synthetic media. 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In the most basic sense, the MERV rating gives us an idea of how well filters (air purifiers, furnaces) can filter out 0.3 to 10 micron (10-6m) particles. in the Inch-Pound system of measurement. It isnt easy to navigate through 20 classes of MERV ratings. OurHEPA filtersystems are our best media air filters they remove 99.97% of all impurities. The test begins with a clean filter. VOCs and odors are not covered by ASHRAE tests. Thats the size interval that includes most air pollutants smoke, dust, cooking oil smell, mold spores, and bacteria, to name just a few. This is your main concern. Grainger Editorial Staff. The higher the MERV, the smaller the particles removed, and the more of them removed. depth MERV 13 filters are available with pressure drop characteristics comparable to or lower than some MERV 6 filters, staff also finds that a 2" filter depth is valuable in allowing filters to have airflow characteristics that are superior to a 1" filter, and may facilitate use of even higher MERV filters (such as the MERV 16 recommended by This is one way a higher MERV filter can have a lower pressure drop than one with a lower MERV rating. Always refer to your HVAC systems manufacturers guide prior to changing your air filter. High MERV ratings are recommended if you seek the removal of allergens from the air as the fibers they are comprised of are layered optimally to trap the smaller-size particles which are generally at fault for triggering symptoms in sensitive individuals. "@type": "Question", Many pleated HVAC air filters can still have a high MERV rating, while not drastically restricting air flow. },{ To get the right HVAC product and suitable MERV-rated air filter, you should know the area you want to use. Pleats look like an accordion, and can more than double the face area of a filter. 3.0-10.0 greater than or equal to 95%, 0.30-1.0 greater than or equal to 95% As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The higher the MERV rating, the more a filter can capture and the cleaner the air will be. As an air filter manufacturer, we are uniquely positioned to custom make any and all types of air filters. The process is repeated 6 times. They usually have the lowest MERV of all filters as well. Most of us dont have gauges to check the pressure drop, but we can remove the filter and hold it up to a light or a window. The most prevalent MERV ratings are MERV 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16: MERV Rating In Air Purifier Specification Sheets (Or Lack There Of) A Higher MERV rating automatically means a better filter. As a filter traps and gathers airborne contaminants the filters pressure drop increases and air flow decreases. So, whatever air filtration you choose, be sure it includes a carbon filter. How efficient the filter is against all three size ranges is compared against a MERV chart and the final MERV value is the highest value where the filter meets all three requirements of MERV. The E3 arrestance describes how well an air filter removes larger particles such as dirt, lint, hair, and dust. This level of filtration does fall into the MERV system but they are shown here to add continuity to the overall filter picture. If the light is significantly blocked, install a new filter.