Understanding MERV

Introduction

This ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2 User Guide was created by the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA), a group of over 600 air filter distributors, manufacturers and engineers. This Guide, and the application of a particle-based contaminant removal standard prescribed by ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2007 “Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size,” are intended to assist end-users and specifiers in their selection of appropriate air filtration products and understanding of the MERV values in the 52.2 test reporting.

The ASHRAE Standard 52.2

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2 features many improvements over the 52.1 standard. In 2009 ANSI/ASHRAE 52.1 “Dust Spot” efficiency testing was removed from the standards while two other parts of the 52.1 Standard were adopted into the 52.2 Standard, allowing for the 52.1 to be retired. The two parts of 52.1 adopted by 52.2 are “Arrestance for determining MERV 1-4 and “Dust Holding Capacity.” It should be noted that the ANSI/ASHRAE standard makes it clear that Dust Holding Capacity is reported as the total weight of synthetic loading dust captured by the air cleaning device over all of the incremental dust loading steps. This value should not be used to calculate the expected life of the device in use.

Some of the improvements found in the ANSI/ASHRAE 52.2 standard include:

• The use of mandatory (code) language, which enables the standard to be referenced by other codes that are developed.
• Where 52.1 expressed efficiency as an overall percentage, 52.2 expresses efficiency as a function of specific particle size.
• Seventy-two (72) data points are reduced into a single curve that typifies the minimum efficiency of a filter.

Standard 52.2 Test Procedure – How Data is Obtained:

An air filter’s performance is determined by measuring the particle counts upstream and downstream of the air-cleaning device being tested.

Particle counts are taken over the range of particle sizes six times, beginning with a clean filter and then after the addition of standard synthetic ASHRAE dust loadings for five additional measurement cycles.

A laboratory aerosol generator, which operates much like a paint sprayer, is used to create a challenge aerosol of known particle size in the air stream. This will generate particles covering the 12 required particle size ranges for the test (See Table 2).

The challenge aerosol is injected into the test duct and particle counts are taken for each of the size data points.

The filter’s performance, on each of the twelve particle sizes, during the six test cycles (a total of 72 measurements) is determined. For each measurement, the filtration efficiency is stated as a ratio of the downstream-to-upstream particle count. The lowest values over the six test cycles are then used to determine the Composite Minimum Efficiency Curve. Using the lowest measured efficiency avoids the misinterpretation of averaging and provides a “worst case” experience over the entire test.

The twelve size ranges are placed in three larger groups according to the following schedule: ranges 1-4 (or E1, which is 0.3 to 1.0 µm), ranges 5-8 (or E2, which is 1.0 to 3.0 µm), and ranges 9-12 (or E3, which is 3.0 to 10.0 µm). Averaging the Composite Minimum Efficiency for each of these groups will calculate the average Particle Size Efficiency (PSE), and the resulting three percentages (E1, E2, E3) are then used to determine the MERV.

Table 2: ASHRAE 52.2 Particle Size Ranges

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV)

An “overall” reporting value of a 52.2-evaluated air filter is the expression of the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). The MERV is a single number that is used, along with the air velocity at which the test was performed, to simplify the extensive data generated by the method of testing. MERV is expressed on a 16 point scale and is derived from the PSE for each of the three groups. (See Table 3: MERV Parameters.)

The average PSE for each of the three groups (E1, E2 and E3) is referenced against the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value Parameters (see Table 3: MERV parameters). Move up the appropriate Range Group (E1, E2 and E3) on Table 3 and record the MERV to the left of the first true statement. Do this for all three groups.

Table 3: MERV Parameters

Click table to view larger image.

Standard Test Airflow Rates

The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) must be stated with the air velocity at which the filter was tested. For example, if the filter was tested with an air velocity of 492 FPM and was found to be MERV 8, the filter’s Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value would be MERV 8 @ 492 FPM. ASHRAE Standard 52.2 tests are to be conducted at one of seven airflow rates: