The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating system was developed by the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and is the industry-standard rating system utilized by ventilation and air filtration professionals nationally and internationally. The rating system helps determine a filter's efficiency, effectiveness, and what the air filter can capture and remove from the air.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the new focus on improving indoor air quality, guidelines from ASHRAE, CDC, and OSHA have been put in place that strongly suggests the usage of MERV 13 filters. This recommendation results from MERV 13's significant capability in filtering out particles between 3.0 and 0.3 microns. When applied correctly, MERV 13 filters can provide similar air quality improvements to that HEPA filtration.
Although MERV 13 filters are widely recommended, they may not be the right choice for your business or school facility. MERV 13 filters, similar to other higher MERV-rated filters, are notorious for their efficiency problems caused by their restricted airflow. In commercial buildings and school facilities, HVAC systems are built around the capabilities of their air handler units (AHUs).
In facilities constructed or renovated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many AHUs installed were not rated initially to support the increased resistance of MERV 13 filters. For these facilities, the benefits of MERV 13 filters in filtering out smaller airborne particles come at the following costs to energy efficiency and HVAC system function.
The California Energy Board arranged to have a laboratory testing study of MERV 13-rated air filters performed at PG&E’s Applied Technology Services facilities in San Ramon, CA. The testing was performed per the procedures specified by ASHRAE Standard 52.2. The testing compared MERV 13 Filters varying in ratings, brands, and sizes to determine the average pressure drop with implementing the higher resistance filtration.
Upgrades in a typical office building, such as upgrading to MERV-13 filters, can increase energy consumption and result in an 11% to 18% increase in total energy costs annually, which can range from $0.01 to $0.02 per square foot. In a 50,000-square-foot facility with hundreds of filters throughout the system, assuming filters are replaced on a 90-day schedule, upgrading to MERV-13 filters could cost between $8,000 to $10,000 more annually.
Although MERV 13 filters are widely recommended, they may not be the right choice for your business or school facility. MERV 13 filters, similar to other higher MERV-rated filters, are notorious for their efficiency problems caused by their restricted airflow. In commercial buildings and school facilities, HVAC systems are built around the capabilities of their air handler units (AHUs).
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