MERV Rating Chart
Understanding MERV Ratings
All filters have a MERV rating that falls between 1 and 16. The rating describes a filter’s effectiveness at removing particles from the air. The higher the MERV rating, the more a filter can capture and the cleaner the air will be. Filters with high MERV ratings (such as MERV 13 filters) are recommended wherever super-clean air is desired or required.
MERV Rating Chart – Click to See Enlarged Version
An important thing to know, however, is that MERV ratings are not standard. They will vary from one brand to the next. One filter with a MERV rating of 14 may be able to remove VOCs* from the air, while a different filter with the same rating may not be able to. Reasons include:
- Filter frames and gaskets inside HVAC systems can negatively impact filter efficiency
- Synthetic, charged coarse-fiber filters drop in MERV rating as they’re used
- Some manufacturers claim MERV ratings that their filters simply don’t have
To counter this, we carry and recommend a line of premium air filters by Rensa and Camfil for facilities looking to upgrade their filter efficiency.