Difference Between MERV, MPR, and FPR Ratings

Understanding air filters could be confusing, especially for anyone unfamiliar with MERV, MPR, and FPR concepts. These ratings are important because they provide information about an air filter's ability to efficiently remove airborne contaminants such as pollen, dust, and other particles, which is essential in maintaining the health of your indoor area. The differences and similarities between Microparticle Performance Rating (MPR), Filter Performance Rating (FPR), and Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) will be explained in this guide.

Choosing the right air filter for the HVAC system according to your requirements, whether for your home or place of work, will be made easier if you know exactly what each rating indicates. You can't have great health without clean air, and knowing these ratings can help you make the best decision. Whether your aim is to maintain a healthy atmosphere in an office or facility or to improve the quality of the air at home, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to make the right decision.

Why Do Air Filters Have Ratings?

Ratings for air filters indicate how well they can capture various kinds of airborne particles and maintain clean air in your house. These ratings, which include MERV, FPR, and MPR, give you an idea of how well the filter can capture various particle sizes. To maintain high air quality, a filter with a higher rating can capture smaller particles. It would be challenging for homeowners and HVAC specialists to determine how effectively a filter works over typical pollutants, including pollen, dirt, smoke, pet dander, hair, smells, germs, and viruses, without these standard ratings.

The unit of measurement for particle size is "micron." Microns can be extremely small, invisible particles or bigger, visible particles. Particles up to 10 microns can be inhaled, however, particles as tiny as 0.001 microns can reach deeply into the lungs. Usually, the nose catches particles bigger than 100 microns. You can pick the right filter for fresh, healthy air in your house or place of business by looking at the MERV, MPR, and FPR ratings, which give you a clear picture of how effectively a filter can handle various sizes of particles.

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 with sizes ranging from 0.3 to 10 microns. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) created this popular rating system that has been used globally. The MERV rating scale goes from 1 to 16. Higher values indicate that the filter can capture more and smaller particles. However, high MERV values (over 13) should be used with caution as they can increase airflow resistance in your HVAC system, which decreases its efficiency.

Here’s a simple guide to what different MERV ratings can filter:

• MERV 1 to 4: These filters can capture larger particles such as pollen and dust mites. They are a good choice when you want the air to flow freely for cooling and you don’t need much filtration.
• MERV 5 to 8: These filters can trap mold spores and aerosols, in addition to pollen and dust mites. They are well-suited for most homes and provide a good balance between filtration and airflow.
• MERV 9 to 12: These filters are even more effective, capturing bacteria and lead dust along with all the particles mentioned above. They are perfect for households where people suffer from allergies or other breathing-related issues.
• MERV 12+: These filters are the most effective, trapping everything from pollen and bacteria to tobacco smoke. They are typically used in places like hospitals and manufacturing facilities where clean air is extremely important.

2: MPR (Micro-Particle Performance Rating)

MPR, which stands for Micro-Particle Performance Rating, is a method that was created by 3M to determine how well the air filters can capture very tiny airborne particles, particularly those smaller than one micron. MPR mainly considers how well a filter can remove microscopic particles that range in size from 0.3 to 1 micron, in comparison with MERV ratings, which measure a filter's capacity to capture both big and small particles. Based on the amount of filtering you require, the MPR rating scale, which goes from 300 to 2800, can help you pick the right filter.

In terms of filtering, the following are various MPR ratings:

• 100 to 300 MPR: These filters are good for capturing larger particles like lint and dust. If you choose a 300 MPR filter, it can also trap dust mite debris. This type of filter is similar to what you would get with a MERV 1 tp 4 rating.
• 600 MPR: These filters not only catch lint, dust, and dust mite debris but are also effective at trapping mold spores and pollen. This rating is comparable to MERV 5 to 8 filters and is a good choice for general household use.
• 1000 to 1200 MPR: Filters with this rating can handle even smaller particles like pet dander, smoke, and smog, along with all the pollutants mentioned earlier. They match up with MERV 9 to 12 filters and are great for homes with pets or smokers.
• 1500+ MPR: These filters are the top performers, capable of capturing bacteria and virus particles in addition to everything else. Filters in this range are similar to MERV 12+ filters and are often used in environments where maintaining clean, healthy air is a top priority.

3: FPR (Filter Performance Rating)

Filter Performance Rating, or FPR, is a method developed by Home Depot to make it simple for customers to choose the most suitable air filter for their requirements. This system is exclusive to the filters available at Home Depot and resembles the MERV rating system. MERV ratings normally range between 4 and 13, and the FPR scale varies from 4 to 10. The FPR system offers color codes in addition to numbers, making it easier for customers to quickly identify the filtration level they require.

Here’s how FPR ratings work:

• Good (4 to 5): These filters are similar to those with a MERV rating of 5 to 8 and an MPR rating of 600. They do a good job of trapping common particles like dust, lint, dust mites, and pet dander, making them a solid choice for general air quality improvement.
• Better (6 to 7): This rating is compatible with MPR 1000 to 1200 and MERV 9 to 12 filters. They not only catch dust, lint, dust mites, and pet dander, but they also help filter out bacteria and mold spores. This level is ideal for households looking for a bit more protection against airborne contaminants.
• Best (8 to 9): Comparable to MERV 12+ and MPR 1500+ filters, these are highly effective at trapping finer particles such as smoke, smog, and allergens. They can also capture some particles that carry viruses. These filters are great for people with allergies or respiratory issues who need cleaner air in their homes.
• Premium (10): These filters, which have the highest FPR rating available, help with the removal of particles that result in odors in addition to capturing everything that the best filters are capable of. This is the kind of filter you should choose if you are searching for the best filtration available, providing the most efficient air cleaning.

How To Pick The Right Air Filter Rating System

Since different rating systems use their own ways of measuring filter performance, choosing a suitable air filter can be challenging. It's helpful to compare all of the ranking systems in order to make things simpler. Different methods are used by MERV, MPR, and FPR to indicate a filter's efficiency. A comparison table that matches MERV ratings with MPR and FPR ratings can help you in making a decision. This could help you determine which filter best suits your requirements and make it simpler for you to understand how each system performs.

Conclusion

When choosing the most suitable air filter for your house or place of business, understanding what's different between FPR, MPR, and MERV ratings can be very helpful. Picking the appropriate filter for your needs will be made easier if you know the variations in the rating systems that indicate how well a filter captures different types of airborne particles.

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!

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