MERV filter ratings range from 1 to 20, with 20 being the most efficient at removing particles. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter's ability to block fine particles. The MERV rating range is 1 to 20, with 1 being the lowest and 20 being the highest. Overall, our recommended MERV rating for oven filters ranges from 6 to 8 to strike a great balance between maximum oven efficiency and home comfort.
The best MERV rating for residential use is one that properly cleans the air in your home without slowing down airflow or straining your HVAC equipment. This means that the HVAC system must work harder to move air when using a filter with a high MERV rating. Obtaining filters with the correct MERV ratings is essential to ensuring that the air is well filtered without overloading the HVAC system. In general, filters with a MERV 16 rating or lower are considered HVAC system grade filters for residential, commercial, and general hospital use.
You can use the table below to better understand how filters rated with FPR and MPR compare to the more standard MERV rating system. Below, you'll see a table that can help you determine the MERV rating needed for a variety of configurations. The higher the MERV rating of a filter, the less dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it. MERV ratings are a rating system designed by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers) to inform the effectiveness of air filters.
MERV ratings 1 to 16 are considered HVAC system grade filters suitable for residential, commercial and general hospital HVAC systems. Filter technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, and MERV ratings are designed to help us determine the most effective and efficient air filter options for heating and cooling systems and more. Using an air filter with a MERV rating higher than recommended by the manufacturer of your oven or air conditioner may impair its performance. One of the best ways to determine which MERV rating you should use is to compare the options side by side.
Filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings.
