Typical merv ratings for furnace filters are 4 8 11 or 13 with various pollutants removed at each level of filtration.
Furnace filter ratings merv vs mpr.
Learn the differences between merv mpr fpr to choose the best filter for your needs.
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.
The three rating systems were created by separate organizations.
Mpr micro particle performance rating.
The mpr scale however uses much larger numbers.
Their basic filter is rated at 100 and their most efficient filter is rated at 2800.
This rating includes microscopic particles not visible to the naked eye.
While merv ratings reflect a filter s ability to trap both microscopic and macroscopic particles mpr ratings only grade a filter on its capacity to remove particles from 0 3 to 1 microns.
The mpr 2800 would qualify as a merv 14 so even though 3m emphasizes the smallest size range of particles their best filter doesn t qualify for the highest merv rating.
Fpr rating systems air filter ratings explained.
This rating system was developed by the company 3m designed to rate the manufacturer s filters and their ability to capture airborne particles smaller than 1 micron.
It s why we created a different measurement microparticle performance rating mpr.
Exclusive filtrete brand filter technology focuses on capturing the tiniest particles between 0 3 and 1 micron µm in size.
When it comes to the average home anything rated merv 7 to 12 is sufficient to filter airborne contaminants.
Microparticles are not even measured on the merv scale until it reaches merv 11.
For example a merv 4 filter removes dust lint and pollen.