Question: What is a MERV rating?
What is a MERV Rating?
MERV is an acronym that stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.
MERV Rating is a filter comparison system designed by an industry group called the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Simply put, it’s a rating scale designed to allow consumers to easily compare the performance of one filter to another.
Why is there a MERV Rating?
It is designed to measure a filter’s ability to capture and hold particles and pollutants. The higher the MERV rating, the more particles (dust mites, pet dander, air allergens, etc) your filter will remove from the air. Of course, screening out more particles from your air makes your air handler work a bit harder, so you may see a modest increase in power consumption by your air conditioning or furnace unit when choosing a higher MERV Rating.
How does a MERV Rating benefit you?
Matching the right MERV rating to your needs will improve your home’s air quality and will extend the life of your furnace or air conditioner.
