{"id":7894,"date":"2024-11-14T06:39:46","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T06:39:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/monroeaerospace.com\/blog\/?p=7894"},"modified":"2024-11-14T06:39:47","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T06:39:47","slug":"air-filters-understanding-merv-ratings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/monroeaerospace.com\/blog\/air-filters-understanding-merv-ratings\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Filters: Understanding MERV Ratings"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You can’t ignore the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) when shopping for an air filter. Air filters aren’t limited to air conditioning systems and furnaces. You can also find them in automobiles, machines and even airplanes. Regardless of the type, however, many air filters have a MERV rating. For a better understanding of MERV ratings and how they affect the performance of air filters, keep reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are MERV Ratings?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MERV ratings are numerical ratings that reflect an air filter’s ability to remove small particles. All air filters are designed to remove particle matter from the air, such as dust, pollen and mold spores. They typically feature a mesh construction that catches particulate matter while still allowing air to flow through them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MERV rating represents how well an air filter removes particulate matter from the air. More specifically, it represents a filter’s ability to remove particulate matter in the range of 0.3 to 10 micrometers in size. To put that into perspective, a micrometer is roughly one millionth of a meter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MERV Rating Values<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), MERV ratings can range from 1 to 20. The higher the MERV rating, the better the air filter’s particulate-trapping abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n