The quality of air in your home is essential for your health and comfort. To ensure that your air is clean and free of pollutants, it is important to understand the impact of MERV and FPR ratings on air quality. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, while FPR stands for Filter Performance Rating. These ratings are used to measure the effectiveness of air filters in capturing particles in the air. The higher the rating (for MERV, FPR, and MPR), the smaller the air and dust particles the home air conditioner filter can capture.
Low-efficiency filters are usually within the MERV 1-4 range, while high-efficiency filters are those of the MERV 13 and higher. The MERV scale is not linear; the difference between a MERV 6 and a MERV 8 is almost double in terms of the percentage of particles captured. As the MERV rating increases, the filter becomes more restrictive and more pressure and energy will be needed to expel air. This means that a higher MERV rating means less airflow. When researching air conditioning systems, it's important to consider air flow as it is key to a comfortable home and for the performance and longevity of your furnace or air controller.
Fortunately, you don't have to make a long list of pros and cons between the MERV and the MPR or spend hours comparing the FPR to the MERV. The following table explains the relationship between the numerical scales of the MERV classification system and the FPR system. Whether you choose the MERV rating system, the MPR system, or the FPR system, make sure you choose an air filter with an appropriate rating based on your home conditions. However, since air filters play a critical role in maintaining good air quality, understanding MERV and FPR ratings is essential for getting the most out of your heating and cooling system.
