What Fpr Filter Should I Use

The Departure Between MERV, MPR, and FPR Air Filter Ratings

There are iii popular filter rating systems that are used to rate the filtration chapters of dwelling house and commercial air filters: MERV, MPR, and FPR.

These three acronyms can brand the air filter shopping experience much more difficult than it really needs to be.

If looking to buy a good replacement air filter and you're trying to make sense of how MERV, MPR, and FPR ratings compare, we take put together a elementary guide below.

shop MERV 13 air filters at Filterbuy

Why Are Air Filters Rated?

The quality of an air filter is assessed by its rating, which tells yous what chapters the filter has in blocking our particulates in the air. The higher the rating (for MERV, FPR, and MPR), the smaller the air and dust particles your domicile ac air filter can capture.

Without a standardized air filter rating method, homeowners and other HVAC enthusiasts are left in the dark on how well their air filter works confronting a wide range of airborne particles, including:

Dust
Pollen
Smoke
Pet dander
Pilus
Odors
Bacteria
Airborne viruses

When it comes to assessing air filter filtration capacity, we use a term "micron" which allows us to know how the smallest size of particle that an air filter can cake.

Micron sizes can range anywhere from microscopic to visible to the human eye. Here's a handy chart to requite you lot an idea of the range of micron sizes:

different micron sizes for air particulates - filterbuy

It's important to note that anything in the size range between .001 microns and 10 microns can reach deep into the lungs by being inhaled. Any particulates under around 100 microns can actually be inhaled into the nose.

The MERV, MPR, and FPR rating systems each consist of a range of numbers that represent the filtration effectiveness based on the micron size that it can filter out. Beneath, nosotros'll intermission downwardly where the rating systems come from and how to use them when shopping for your next filter.

MERV Air Filter Ratings

MERV stands for "Minimum Efficiency Rating Value."

Every air or furnace filter in the US carries a MERV rating, which is the only nationally regulated rating system for air filters. Established by the ASHRAE (American Club of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers), the MERV rating system specifies a filter'south ability to capture air particles and pollutants.

MERV ratings run on a ane-20 scale that designates the effectiveness of filters to capture certain particle sizes. The college the MERV rating, the more particles it captures.

If the MERV rating is too high (higher up MERV 13), even so, information technology tin can increment system backpressure and cake air flow through your central air organisation, worsening the effectiveness of your HVAC arrangement.

Why We Stock MERV 8, MERV xi, MERV 13 Air Filters

Filterbuy offers MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13 air and furnace filters, which covers the normal range of needs for a home in providing clean air while also protecting HVAC equipment. MERV 8 filters tin can generally filter out ninety% of airborne particles, MERV 11 tin remove around 95%, and MERV xiii can block approximately 98%.

To become more details on which MERV filter is correct for your specific situation, click here.

MPR Air Filter Ratings - Microparticle Performance Rating

MPR stands for "Microparticle Operation Rating."

Created by 3M, only filters designed by the 3M/Filtrete make carry an MPR rating, which rates the filter's ability to trap air particles smaller than 1 micron. MPR ratings range from 300 MPR (Basic) to 2800 MPR (Premium).

Below is a chart showing the MPR rating system:

MPR	100	300	600	grand	1000 D	1200+	1500	1550	1500 Smart	1900	1900 Smart	2200	2200 Smart	2800
Lint	X	10	X	X	X	10	X	X	X	X	X	Ten	X	Ten
Household Dust	X	X	X	X	Ten	10	X	X	Ten	10	X	X	X	X
Dust Mite Droppings		Ten	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	10	X	10	Ten	X
Mold Spores			10	10	Ten	X	Ten	X	Ten	X	X	X	X	X
Pollen			X	X	X	X	X	10	X	X	X	X	X	Ten
Pet Dander				X	X	X	10	X	X	X	X	Ten	X	X
Fume				X	Ten	X	X	X	X	Ten	X	X	Ten	X
Smog				X	10	X	10	10	X	10	X	X	Ten	10
Coughing and Sneeze Particles						Ten	X	X	X	X	X	X	Ten	X
Bacteria							X	X	X	Ten	X	X	X	X
Virus							Ten	X	X	Ten	10	10	Ten	X
Candle Soot										X	X	Ten	X	10
PM 2.5 Air Pollution										10	X	Ten	Ten	X
Exhaust Particles												Ten	10	X
Ultrafine Particles														X

FPR Air Filter Ratings

FPR stands for "Filter Performance Rating."

Created by The Home Depot for brands only sold in Home Depot stores, including popular Honeywell filters. This rating system was established to provide a unified ranking system but lacks specific figures for comparison and simplicity.

The FPR rating system features a number scale from iv-10 and color code is used to charge per unit the filter's quality and ability to trap certain particles.

Below is a breakdown showing the FPR rating system:

FPR Rating 4-5 (Good)

Filters our large particles in the home like dust, link, dust mites, larger pollen particles, and pet dander

FPR Rating vi-7 (Improve)

Filters our large particles in the abode similar grit, link, dust mites, larger pollen particles, and pet dander
Likewise filters out small particles similar bacteria and mold spores

FPR Rating eight-9 (Best)

Filters our large particles in the home like dust, link, dust mites, larger pollen particles, and pet dander
Also filters out pocket-sized particles like leaner and mold spores
These filters likewise remove fume, smog, allergens, and some particles that can carry viruses

FPR Rating 10 (Premium)

Filters our big particles in the home like grit, link, dust mites, larger pollen particles, and pet dander
Besides filters out small particles like bacteria and mold spores
These filters also remove smoke, smog, allergens, and some particles that tin can behave viruses
Premium filters also tin filter out odor causing particles

Which Air Filter Rating System Should I Follow?

So which rating system should you use in buying your adjacent air filter?

Each air filter rating system has its own unique advantages, but sometimes it'southward difficult to compare the ratings systems apples-to-apples. For an approximate comparison of the different MERV levels offered by Filterbuy with MPR and FPR, refer to the table beneath.

MERV Rating	MERV six	MERV 6	MERV eight	MERV eight	MERV 11	MERV 11	MERV 11	MERV thirteen	MERV 13	MERV xiii
FPR Rating	FPR 4 - 5	FPR iv - 5	FPR 4 - 5	FPR vi - seven	FPR 6 - 7	FPR 8 - nine	FPR 8 - 9	FPR 10	FPR x	FPR 10
MPR Rating	MPR 100	MPR 300	MPR 600	MPR k	MPR 1200+	MPR 1500	MPR 1550	MPR 1900	MPR 2200	MPR 2800
Lint	Ten	10	Ten	X	X	Ten	Ten	10	10	10
Household Dust	X	X	10	X	X	10	X	Ten	X	X
Dust Mite Debris		X	X	X	X	X	X	Ten	10	X
Mold Spores			X	Ten	X	X	10	X	X	X
Pollen			10	X	X	X	Ten	X	X	X
Pet Dander				10	X	Ten	X	10	X	Ten
Smoke				Ten	X	Ten	X	X	10	Ten
Smog				X	10	Ten	X	Ten	X	Ten
Coughing and Sneeze Particles					X	10	X	X	10	X
Bacteria						X	10	X	X	10
Virus						10	X	X	X	X
Candle Soot								10	X	X
PM 2.v Air Pollution								10	Ten	10
Exhaust Particles									X	X
Ultrafine Particles										X

While it may be hard to decide between systems to follow, MERV is considered the industry standard when it comes to air filter ratings and is generally the virtually used organization.

The more niche rating systems similar MPR and FPR originated mostly from sure companies wanting to have their ain dissever organisation that would make them appear unique to customers.

With MERV-rated air filters, y'all go the comfort of knowing that your filter's ratings are widely understood and trusted.

Shop over 600 sizes of high-quality air filters on the Filterbuy website

FPR vs. MERV Air Filter Ratings

Deciding between FPR and MERV rated air filters? Here's a expert way to compare FPR vs. MERV air filter ratings and capabilities.

FPR four -5 is the same as MERV Ratings 6 – 8
FPR 6 – vii is the same as MERV Ratings 8 - 11
FPR 8 – 9 is the same equally MERV Rating eleven
FPR ten is the aforementioned every bit MERV Ratings thirteen

MPR vs. MERV Air Filter Ratings

If you're looking at air filters rated for MPR compared to air filters rated by the MERV filter rating system, you can reference this chart below:

MPR 100 is equal to MERV Rating half-dozen
MPR 300 is equal to MERV Rating 6
MPR 600 is equal to MERV Rating viii
MPR 1000 is equal to MERV Rating eight
MPR 1200+ is equal to MERV Rating xi
MPR 1500 is equal to MERV Rating 11
MPR 1550 is equal to MERV Rating 11
MPR 1900 is equal to MERV Rating xi
MPR 2200 is equal to MERV Rating 13
MPR 2800 is equal to MERV Rating xiii

Take more than questions about MERV, MPR, and FPR ratings? Our filter experts can help you lot. Contact usa today! Or you can search for your next replacement air filters by MERV rating below.

FPR, MPR, and MERV Air Filter Rating FAQs

What does MERV stand for in air filter ratings?

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Rating Value, and it is an industry-wide rating system used to determine how effective an air filter is at removing particles in the air. The system is based on the size of micron that is able to pass through the filter.

What does FPR stand for in air filter ratings?

FPR stands for Filter Performance Rating, and information technology is a proprietary rating arrangement for branded air filters sold by Habitation Depot in an attempt to make their air filters seem unique. While the FPR rating has no begetting on the overall efficacy of the air filter itself, the rating organisation isn't equally thorough as the MERV rating system, so it's difficult to know exactly how efficacious an FPR-rated air filter is.

What does MPR stand for in air filter ratings?

MPR stands for Microparticle Performance Rating, and it is a proprietary air filter ratings system created by 3M in club to make their air filters seem like they have a unique rating and filtration ability. The MPR rating system goes from 100 upwardly to 2200 and can cover a wide range of filtration capabilities. The rating organization is generally comparable to the MERV rating arrangement.

How does FPR compare to MERV ratings?

Here are the filtration comparisons between FPR and MERV:

FPR 4 -5 is the same every bit MERV Ratings 6 – 8
FPR 6 – 7 is the same as MERV Ratings viii - 11
FPR viii – ix is the same every bit MERV Rating 11
FPR 10 is the same equally MERV Ratings 13

How does MPR compare to MERV ratings?

Here are the filtration comparisons between MPR and MERV-rated air filters:

MPR 100 is equal to MERV Rating 6
MPR 300 is equal to MERV Rating 6
MPR 600 is equal to MERV Rating 8
MPR one thousand is equal to MERV Rating 8
MPR 1200+ is equal to MERV Rating eleven
MPR 1500 is equal to MERV Rating xi
MPR 1550 is equal to MERV Rating 11
MPR 1900 is equal to MERV Rating eleven
MPR 2200 is equal to MERV Rating 13
MPR 2800 is equal to MERV Rating 13

What is the best MERV rating filter for home AC system?

We recommend utilizing a MERV 13 rated air filter for maximum filtration capabilities without taxing your central air system's air menstruation capabilities. At a certain signal, the MERV rating can go as well high and cause your key air system to work much harder to push air through the filter.