MERV Ratings: What You Need to Know

There are millions of airborne irritants and pollutants in your home - dust mites, pollen, bacteria, mold, pet dander and smoke are common.

One way to improve air quality in your home is to regularly change your air filter. How do you know which air filter is right for your family?

When choosing an air filter, you should check the MERV rating.

What is MERV?

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, which is the scale designed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to determine the effectiveness of an air filter. MERV ratings range from 1 to 16. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is at keeping out dust particles and other contaminants. Most residential systems can adequately remove airborne contaminants with a filter that contains a MERV rating of 7-12, while hospitals and medical facilities typically use a MERV 13-16.

MERV 8: Our Arm & Hammer™ Pet Fresh Air Filter is an electrostatic air filter with allergen and odor control. It is a great option for pet parents who want to control pet dander and other household allergens.

MERV 11: Our DuPont High Allergen Care™ Air FIlter is an electrostatic air filter that is up to 30x more effective at reducing allergens than an ordinary fiberglass filter. It is a great option for families that suffer from allergies, since it captures pollen, pet dander, dust, smoke, mold spores and ragweed with its state of the art technology.

MERV 12: Our DuPont ProClear Ultimate Allergen Air FIlter is our premium electrostatic air filter. Its antimicrobial protection fights odors and reduces allergens. It is the best option for families that need maximum allergy protection.

MERV 13: Our Accumulair Diamond Air FIlter is electrostatically charged to capture airborne allergens smaller than 1 micron! It is our highest MERV-rated filter, and is a great choice for capturing bacteria, viruses, dust, mold spores and more.

Change Filters Often

The higher the MERV rating, the more often that air filters need to be replaced to avoid restricted air flow and keep your system running optimally. Replace your air filter at least every three months. We offer convenient air filter 4-packs so you'll always have a fresh filter on-hand.

After deciding which air filter works best to keep your family breathing easier, consider our Shark Navigator Upright Vacuum Cleaner to keep your floors free from dirt and pet hair. It features a pet hair pick-up system and large capacity, easy-to-use dust cup.