Understanding air filters can be confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with concepts like MERV, MPR, and FPR. These ratings are crucial because they provide insights into an air filter's ability to effectively remove airborne contaminants such as pollen, dust, and other particles, which is essential for maintaining a healthy indoor environment. In this guide, we’ll explain the differences and similarities between Microparticle Performance Rating (MPR), Filter Performance Rating (FPR), and Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV).
Knowing what each rating indicates will help you choose the right air filter for your HVAC system, whether it's for your home or workplace. Clean air is important for good health, and understanding these ratings empowers you to make informed decisions. Whether your goal is to maintain a healthy atmosphere in an office or improve indoor air quality at home, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to make the best choice.
Why Do Air Filters Have Ratings?
Ratings for air filters indicate how effectively they can capture various types of airborne particles and maintain clean air in your home. These ratings, including MERV, FPR, and MPR, provide insights into a filter's ability to trap different particle sizes. To ensure high air quality, a filter with a higher rating is better at capturing smaller particles. Without these standard ratings, homeowners and HVAC professionals would find it challenging to assess how well a filter performs against common pollutants like pollen, dust, smoke, pet dander, hair, odors, germs, and viruses.
The unit of measurement for particle size is "micron." Microns can range from extremely small, invisible particles to larger, visible ones. Particles up to 10 microns can be inhaled, while those as tiny as 0.001 microns can penetrate deeply into the lungs. Generally, the nose filters out particles larger than 100 microns. By examining the MERV, MPR, and FPR ratings, you can choose the right filter to ensure fresh, healthy air in your home or workplace, providing a clear understanding of how effectively a filter can handle various particle sizes.
Difference Between MERV, MPR, and FPR Air Filter Ratings
There are a lot of options to choose from when searching for air filters. You will find a variety of air filter ratings in addition to many different brands. For air filters in HVAC systems, there are three main rating systems used:
1. MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value)
The MERV standard, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, measures an air filter's ability to capture particles ranging from 0.3 to 10 microns in size. Developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), this widely recognized rating system is used globally. The MERV rating scale ranges from 1 to 16, with higher values indicating that the filter can capture smaller and more particles. However, it’s important to use filters with high MERV values (over 13) with caution, as they can increase airflow resistance in your HVAC system, potentially reducing its efficiency.
Here’s a simple guide to what different MERV ratings can filter:
- MERV 1 to 4: These filters are capable of capturing larger particles, such as pollen and dust mites. They are a suitable choice when you want air to flow freely for cooling without needing significant filtration.
- MERV 5 to 8: These filters can trap mold spores and aerosols in addition to pollen and dust mites. They offer a good balance between filtration and airflow, making them well-suited for most homes.
- MERV 9 to 12: These filters are even more effective, capturing bacteria and lead dust along with the particles mentioned above. They are ideal for households where individuals suffer from allergies or other respiratory issues.
- MERV 12+: These filters are the most efficient, trapping everything from pollen and bacteria to tobacco smoke. They are typically used in settings like hospitals and manufacturing facilities, where maintaining clean air is of utmost importance.
2. MPR (Micro-Particle Performance Rating)
MPR, or Micro-Particle Performance Rating, is a system developed by 3M to evaluate how effectively air filters capture very small airborne particles, particularly those smaller than one micron. Unlike MERV ratings, which assess a filter's ability to capture both large and small particles, MPR specifically focuses on the removal of microscopic particles ranging from 0.3 to 1 micron. This makes it especially useful for improving indoor air quality by targeting common allergens and pollutants. The MPR rating scale spans from 300 to 2800, allowing you to choose the right filter based on your specific filtration needs, ensuring optimal air cleanliness for your home or workplace.
In terms of filtering, the following are various MPR ratings:
- 100 to 300 MPR: Filters in this range are effective at capturing larger particles such as lint and dust. A 300 MPR filter can also trap dust mite debris, making it similar to a MERV 1 to 4 rating. These filters are suitable for basic air quality needs.
- 600 MPR: These filters excel at catching lint, dust, and dust mite debris while also effectively trapping mold spores and pollen. Comparable to MERV 5 to 8 filters, this rating is a solid choice for general household use, providing a good balance between filtration and airflow.
- 1000 to 1200 MPR: Filters with this rating can handle even smaller particles, including pet dander, smoke, and smog, along with all previously mentioned pollutants. They align with MERV 9 to 12 filters, making them ideal for homes with pets or smokers where improved air quality is desired.
- 1500+ MPR: These high-performance filters are capable of capturing bacteria and virus particles, in addition to all other contaminants. Comparable to MERV 12+ filters, they are often used in environments where maintaining clean, healthy air is a top priority, such as hospitals and laboratories.
3. FPR (Filter Performance Rating)
Filter Performance Rating, or FPR, is a system developed by Home Depot to simplify the process of selecting the right air filter for your needs. This rating system is unique to the filters sold at Home Depot and is similar to the MERV rating system. While MERV ratings typically range from 4 to 13, the FPR scale spans from 4 to 10. One of the standout features of the FPR system is its use of color codes alongside numerical ratings, which makes it easier for customers to quickly identify the appropriate level of filtration they require for their home or workplace. This user-friendly approach ensures that everyone can find a filter that meets their air quality needs effectively.
Here’s how FPR ratings work:
- Good (4 to 5): These filters are comparable to those with a MERV rating of 5 to 8 and an MPR rating of 600. They effectively trap common particles such as dust, lint, dust mites, and pet dander, making them a solid choice for general air quality improvement in homes.
- Better (6 to 7): Filters with this rating align with MPR 1000 to 1200 and MERV 9 to 12. In addition to capturing dust, lint, dust mites, and pet dander, they also help filter out bacteria and mold spores. This level is ideal for households seeking enhanced protection against airborne contaminants.
- Best (8 to 9): Comparable to MERV 12+ and MPR 1500+ filters, these are highly effective at trapping finer particles like smoke, smog, and allergens. They can also capture certain particles that may carry viruses. These filters are perfect for individuals with allergies or respiratory issues who require cleaner air in their living spaces.
- Premium (10): These filters carry the highest FPR rating available and excel at removing particles that cause odors, in addition to capturing everything that the best filters can. If you’re looking for the ultimate in air filtration, this is the filter to choose, providing the most efficient air cleaning for your home.
How To Pick The Right Air Filter Rating System
Picking the right air filter can be challenging since different rating systems measure filter performance in various ways. To simplify the process, it’s beneficial to compare all the rating systems. MERV, MPR, and FPR each utilize unique methods to indicate a filter's efficiency. A comparison table that aligns MERV ratings with MPR and FPR ratings can be incredibly useful in this regard. Such a table can help you determine which filter best meets your needs, making it easier to understand how each system performs. By having this information at your fingertips, you can make a more informed decision about the best air filter for your home or business.
MERV Rating | Contaminants Captured | Comparable MPR Rating | Comparable FPR Rating |
---|---|---|---|
MERV 6 | Dust, Lint, and Pollen | MPR 300 | N/A |
MERV 8 | Dust, Lint, Pollen, Dust Mites, and Mold Spores | MPR 600 | FPR 5 |
MERV 11 | Dust, Lint, Pollen, Dust Mites, Mold Spores, Pet Dander, Smoke, Smog, Cough, and Sneezes | MPR 1000-1200 | FPR 7 |
MERV 13 | Dust, Lint, Pollen, Dust Mites, Mold Spores, Pet Dander, Smoke, Smog, Cough and Sneezes, Bacteria and Some Viruses | MPR 1500-2000 | FPR 10 |
Conclusion
When selecting the right air filter for your home or business, understanding the differences between FPR, MPR, and MERV ratings can be incredibly beneficial. Knowing how these rating systems vary will help you choose a filter that effectively captures different types of airborne particles based on your specific needs. Each system measures filter performance in its own way, and being familiar with these distinctions will enable you to make a more informed decision. This knowledge can ultimately lead to improved air quality and a healthier environment for you and those around you.
Here at Custom Filters Direct, we are passionate about offering excellent air filters that improve indoor air quality and maintain the efficiency of your HVAC system. If you are searching for new filters, Custom Filters Direct offers reliable and efficient solutions. For additional details regarding our offerings, kindly contact us at 1-877-958-5612. We look forward to helping you with all of your air filter needs!