FPR Air Filter Ratings The FPR levels and the particles they can catch include: FPR 4-5 (Good): Dust, link, dust mites, larger pollen particles, and pet dander. FPR 6-7 (Better): All of the above as well as bacteria and mold spores. FPR 8-9 (Best): All of the above plus smoke, smog, and allergens.
FPR 6-7 (Red = Better): These filters are able to capture large particles and small particles such as bacteria and mold spores. FPR 8-9 (Purple = Best): These filters are able to capture large particles, small particles, smoke, smog, microscopic allergens and particles that carry viruses.
A MERV rating of 7 to 9 is effective at capturing dust particles. These filters can trap larger particles like dust, lint, and pet dander while still allowing for good airflow. For finer dust, higher MERV ratings (10-12) are more effective.
The home air filters you're looking for have a MERV rating anywhere between MERV 5 and 13. We, however, do not endorse any filter that has a MERV rating lower than a MERV 8, and filters below MERV 5? We don't even talk about those. Filters rated below a MERV 5 are basically the wet socks of air filters.
A minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) and a filter performance rating (FPR) are two ways to measure an air filter's effectiveness.
FPR Air Filter Ratings
The FPR levels and the particles they can catch include: FPR 4-5 (Good): Dust, link, dust mites, larger pollen particles, and pet dander. FPR 6-7 (Better): All of the above as well as bacteria and mold spores. FPR 8-9 (Best): All of the above plus smoke, smog, and allergens.
Here are the filtration comparisons between FPR and MERV: FPR 4 -5 is the same as MERV Ratings 6 – 8. FPR 6 – 7 is the same as MERV Ratings 8 - 11.
Filters in the 5-8 MERV value range are also able to trap particles with 3.0-10.0 microns in size, but they are more efficient in doing so. A MERV 5 filter will trap up to 34%, MERV 6 will stop 35-49%, MERV 7 will prevent up to 69%, and MERV 8 will catch up to 85% of particles.
Do Higher MERV Filters Restrict Airflow? The higher a MERV filter, the more it filters the air with better efficiency. This means that a higher MERV will restrict airflow.
Filters with MERV ratings between 5 and 8 are often considered medium-quality, which is sufficient for most homes.
High-MERV filters increase the static pressure of your system, and if the ductwork is already marginal, this can cause the airflow to drop to a level where the temperature exceeds the furnace's limit.
For households working with tight budgets, MERV 8 filters offer cost-effectiveness and minimal upkeep requirements. Superior particle capture and enhanced air quality come with MERV 11 filters, making them suitable for dwellings with pets, allergies, or high pollution.
FPR Breakdown:
1-4: Basic filtration, good for dust and lint. 5-7: Medium filtration, effective for pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. 8-10: High filtration, best for smoke, bacteria, and fine particles.
FPR 4-5: Captures pollen, pet dander, and dust. FPR 6-7: Effective at capturing smoke, smog, and mold spores. FPR 8-9: Captures bacteria, smoke, and fine dust. FPR 10: The highest rating, capturing the smallest particles like viruses and allergens.
MERV 8: Less restrictive, allows for better airflow, holds up to the light and you can see through it. MERV 11: More restrictive, captures smaller particles, builds up debris faster, and increases pressure drop.
MERV 11 is equal to FPR of 7. MERV 12 is the same as MPR of 1900 and FPR of 8 or 9. MERV 13 filters are equal to an FPR rating of 10.
The primary drawback of high MERV filters is that the pressure drop across them is too high, which can lead to reduced airflow and increased energy consumption in HVAC systems. This resistance may strain mechanical components over time, potentially causing failure.
It's also difficult for many existing HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems to adopt a MERV 13 due to the increased load on the fan from the finer filter media, which can actually cause more harm than good as well as reducing airflow if your system isn't designed to handle that type of filter.
MERV Rating 6-8
MERV 6 will filter 35%-49% of larger particles (3.0-10 microns). This is enough to protect your HVAC system, but it won't be near enough if you have furry pets. MERV 7 ranges from 50%-69% of the same scale particles, and MERV 8 filters out 70-85%.
Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing your air filter every 90 days, or 3 months. That can change based on where your home is located (ex. dusty, dry climates), if you have any pets, and the age of your system and equipment.
What MERV rating you choose between 7 and 13 depends on what level of filtration you require. If your family has allergies or asthma, a higher MERV rating will be good for you. If your family doesn't suffer from any breathing difficulties, a lower filter like a 7 will save you some money on your energy bill.
Compared to The Home Depot's method of ranking air filters (FPR), MERV has wider range. While FPR's rating system goes from 1 to 12, MERV's rating system goes from 1 to 20. FPR 10 is similar in strength to MERV 20, since they are both the highest rating value.
MERV Rating 8-13
Filters with a MERV rating of 8-13 are usually higher-end filters for home use or high-quality commercial filters. These filters are typically the right choice for use in homes and many businesses.
Q: Do you know how often to change the car air filter? A: Typically, it should be inspected once a year or every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, but this can vary based on the car and driving environment. If you often drive through dusty terrain or on unpaved roads, you may need to change it more frequently.