Indoor air quality is top of mind for many people these days, for obvious reasons – but the truth is it should always be top of mind if you want to live as healthy as possible in your central MA home, especially during spring allergy season.
If you own a forced air HVAC system (one with a furnace and vents rather than a boiler with baseboards or radiators), one of your most important tasks is to regularly check and change its filters. A clean filter will do a better job blocking the microorganisms, dander, and other contaminants that fly around inside your home; without having to ward off those irritants, your immune system will have more resources left to fight bigger battles. A clean air filter will also prevent your equipment from overworking, which means lower energy bills, less maintenance, and a longer lifespan for your equipment.
When it comes time to buy your replacement filter, you’ll encounter a sea of confusing acronyms. Don’t worry, they’re pretty easy to figure out once you understand a few basics.
Three terms you might hear when shopping for a replacement filter for your HVAC system are MERV, MPR, FPR. Each term describes a system that uses numbers to describe the tightness of the filter weave, with higher numbers indicating finer filtration. The only difference among the three systems is who manufactured them.
Here’s a conversion table of MERV, MPR and FPR ratings for common residential usage (higher-valued filters are often used in hospitals and operating rooms, but are not necessary for home use):
MERV rating | MPR rating | FPR rating | Removes |
6 | 300 | N/A | Lint, dust, pollen |
8 | 600 | 5 | Dust mites, mold spores |
11 | 1000-1200 | 7 | Pet dander, smoke, smog |
13 | 1500-1900 | 10 | Bacteria, virus carriers |
Need furnace maintenance in Worcester, MA? Trust the pros at Pioneer Oil and Propane. Contact us today to schedule a visit from our heating experts.
Please note: At Pioneer Oil and Propane, your safety and comfort are always our priority. Please see our Covid-19 Service Update Page to learn more about how we are working to keep our your family and our crews safe and your home cooling and heating systems working through this challenging time.