Remember to Look for the MERV Rating for your Air Filter MERV here stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, a value that lets us know the size of particles an air filter is designed to catch. Higher MERV ratings are more effective at capturing smaller particles. That’s why hospitals tend to use MERV 16 or higher, to capture the most pollutants possible. Although lower MERV rated filters are less efficient overall, they allow more air to advance through the filter, which can be helpful to the operation of the HVAC system. It’s important to have the appropriate mix of air filter and MERV rating for your exact needs and your system. Call Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts in Windsor today to let our experts walk you through which MERV rating is needed for your home and family. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), which developed the MERV rating, suggests filters with minimum MERV ratings of 6. The U.S. Department of Energy proposes a minimum of MERV 13. For the best overall solution for most homeowners, acquire an Air Purification System, which comes with a MERV 16 media filter, and you’ll be in good shape for years. Here is a snapshot of the MERV Ratings: MERV 1 to 4— <20% of large particles (3 to 10 microns) are captured 5 to 7—Between 20% and 69% of large particles are captured 8 to 10—Approximately 85% of large particles and 50% of small particles (1.0 to 3.0 microns) are captured 11 to 16—More than 90% of large particles and between 70% and 90% of small particles are captured 17 to 20—Even the smallest particles (< 0.3 microns) are captured The right MERV rating on the right filter could strongly influence impact your indoor air quality, your health and your lifestyle. So choosing the right air filter matters. Call Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts today at 226-773-3357. We carry a full range of air filtration choices, knowledge and expert service—and we’re here 24 hours a day for Windsor. MERV Rating Chart MERV Rating Dust Spot Efficiency Arrestance Typical Controlled Containment Typical Applications Air Filter/Cleaner Type 20 N/A N/A < 0.30 pm particle size Clean rooms >99.999% eff. On 10-20 pm Particles 19 N/A N/A Virus (unattached) Radioactive Materials Particles 18 N/A N/A Carbon Dust Pharmaceutical Man. Particulates 17 N/A N/A All Combustion smoke Carcinogenetic Materials >99.97% eff. On 30 pm Particles 16 N/A N/A 0.3-1.0 pm Particle Size General Surgery Bag filter - Non-supported microfine fiberglass or synthetic media, 12-36 in. deep, 6-12 pocketsBox filter - Rigid Style CartridgeFilters 6 to 12" deep may use lofted or paper media 15 > 95% N/A All Bacteria Hospital Inpatient Care 14 90% - 95% > 98% Most Tobacco Smoke Smoking Lounge 13 89% - 90% > 98% Proplet Nuclei (Sneeze) Superior Commercial Buildings 12 70% - 75% > 95% 1.0 - 3.0 pm Particle Size Legionella Superior Residential Bag filter - Non-supported microfine fiberglass or synthetic media, 12-36 in. deep, 6-12 pocketsBox filter - Rigid Style CartridgeFilters 6 to 12" deep may use lofted or paper media 11 60% - 65% > 95% Humidifier DustLead Dust Better Commercial Buildings 10 50% - 55% > 95% Milled FlourAuto Emissions Hospital Laboratories 9 40% - 45% > 90% Welding Fumes 8 30% - 35% > 90% 3.0 - 10.0 pm Particle Size Commercial Buildings Pleated Filters - Disposable, extended surface area, thick with cotton-polyester blend media, cardboard frameCartridge Filters - Grated density viscous coated cube or pocket filters, synthetic mediaThrowaway - Disposable synthetic panel liner 7 25% - 30% > 90% Mold SporesHair Spray Better Residential 6 < 20% 85%-90% Fabric ProtectorDusting Aids Industrial Workplace 5 < 20% 85%-90% Cement Dust Paint Booth Inlet 4 < 20% 75%-80% > 10.0 pm Particle Size Pollen Minimal Filtration Throwaway - Disposable synthetic panel linerWashable - Aluminum MeshElectrostatic - Self-charging woven panel filter 3 < 20% 70%-75% Dust MitesSanding Dust Residential 2 < 20% 65%-70% Spray Paint Dust 1 < 20% < 65% Textile FibersCarpet Fibers Window A/C Units