MERV stands for “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value”.  It is a universal rating system that provides a standard measurement of the pollutants and particles a filter can trap. 

 

MERV ratings are meant to give the consumer the ability to make a "hockey stick to hockey stick" (we're Canadian… eh) comparison of filters from any manufacturer. The higher the MERV rating, the more particles it will capture. But, a higher MERV rating also means that HVAC systems have to work harder to move air.  So the highest rating is not necessarily always the best option.  It depends on your filtration requirements and your system.

 

Now as you know manufacturers in the HVAC industry like to make things complicated.  Sooo… 3M decided to invent their own rating system  MPR (Micro-Particle Performance Rating), convenient... right?  It rates the manufacturer’s filters and their ability to capture airborne particles smaller than 1 micron.

  

Here at BreathEasy Filters we keep things simple and offer 3 categories of filters that correspond to the 3 different MERV ratings.