What are the Requirements for a MERV Filter Rating?

Learn about Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings and how they measure the size of air particles that an air filter can trap. Understand how the MERV classification table works and choose the right air filter for your needs.

What are the Requirements for a MERV Filter Rating?

Are you looking to understand what a MERV rating is? MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and it is a way of measuring the size of air particles that an air filter can trap. The higher the rating, the smaller the particles that can be trapped. Whether you're using MERV 8 or MERV 13 (or something in between), it's important to remember to replace your air filters periodically in order to keep the air clean and free of allergens and other contaminants. The MERV rating system ranges from 1 to 16, with higher ratings trapping smaller particles more effectively than lower ratings.

Once you understand how the MERV classification table works, you can choose the air filters that best suit your needs. Even though ratings don't exceed MERV 16, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are able to trap even smaller particles at a faster rate than MERV 16 and are typically used in surgical operating rooms, clean rooms, and other settings that require absolute cleanliness. When selecting an air filter, it is important to consider the size of the particles that need to be filtered out. The higher the MERV rating, the more effective the filter will be at trapping smaller particles. It is also important to remember to replace your air filters periodically in order to keep the air clean and free of allergens and other contaminants.

In conclusion, understanding what a MERV rating is and how it works is essential for selecting the right air filter for your needs. Even though ratings don't exceed MERV 16, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are able to trap even smaller particles at a faster rate than MERV 16 and are typically used in surgical operating rooms, clean rooms, and other settings that require absolute cleanliness.

Tammy Spangenberg
Tammy Spangenberg

Amateur coffeeaholic. Subtly charming internet guru. Devoted twitter junkie. Hardcore social media specialist. Award-winning writer. Wannabe twitter aficionado.

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