Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value
"MERV" Ratings
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What is MERV? MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It is a number from a test method designed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The number is intended to help people compare filters. Generally speaking, a higher MERV rating indicates better filter performance. |
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What is the MERV Rating of Carbon Filters? The main use of the Carbon filters is to remove odors from the air. In that the filters are made with carbon impregnated media and not from electrostatically charged filter media, the Carbon filters do not have an official MERV rating. If odor control is what you are looking for then the Carbon filters are exactly what you need. However, if you are looking for maximum filtration performance then go with the MERV 13 filters. |
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MERV Value |
Average Particle Size Efficiency (0.3-1 Microns) |
Average Particle Size Efficiency (1-3.Microns) |
Average Particle Size Efficiency (3-10 Microns) |
Particles that are trapped: |
|
MERV 1 |
- |
- |
- |
Pollen, Dust Mites, Standing Dust, Spray Paint Dust, Carpet Fibers. |
|
MERV 2 |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
MERV 3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
MERV 4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
MERV 5 |
- |
- |
20%-35% |
All of the above and Mold Spores, Hair Spray, Fabric Protector, Cement Dust. |
|
MERV 6 |
- |
- |
36%-50% |
|
|
MERV 7 |
- |
- |
50%-70% |
|
|
MERV 8 |
- |
20% or better |
70% or better |
|
|
MERV 9 |
- |
35% or better |
75% or better |
All of the above and Humidifier Dust, Lead Dust, Auto Emissions, Milled Flour. |
|
MERV 10 |
- |
50% or better |
80% or better |
|
|
MERV 11 |
20% or better |
65% or better |
85% or better |
|
|
MERV 12 |
35% or better |
80% or better |
90% or better |
|
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MERV 13 |
50% or better |
85% or better |
90% or better |
All of the above and Bacteria, Most Tobacco, Smoke, etc. |
|
MERV 14 |
75% or better |
90% or better |
95% or better |
|
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MERV 15 |
85% or better |
90% or better |
95% or better |
All of the above and most insecticide dust, most face powder, most paint pigments |
Particles and Their Micron Ratings
(a micron is a unit of measurement in the metric system equal to 1 millionth of a meter in length)
|
Particle |
Approximate Particle Size (microns) |
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Bacteria |
0.2-1 |
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Dust Mites |
3 |
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Hair Spray |
10 |
|
Human Hair |
100 |
|
Pollen |
10 |
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Mold Spores |
3 |
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Tobacco Smoke |
1 |