When it comes to effectiveness, it's difficult to choose between a MERV rating or an FPR rating. Both are useful, but the FPR may be easier to understand, since it uses a more intuitive numbering system. FPR scores are filtered from one to ten, with ten being the best. My recommendation is to buy filters with a MERV rating whenever possible.All three classifications have their problems, but even Home Depot and 3M admit on their websites that MERV is the industry standard for rating filters.
In addition, if you want the filter to improve indoor air quality and not just protect the heating and air conditioning system, choose the MERV-13, FPR-10, MPR-1900 or higher. However, make sure that you can do this without reducing airflow and possibly damaging the system. As a result, homeowners often don't see FPR values on HVAC air filters sold outside of The Home Depot.This is because there are different standards to meet, so you'll see some air filters with a MERV rating, while others appear as MPR or FPR. Any filter rated 4 to 5 on the FPR scale must be good enough to remove common household air contaminants, such as dust, lint, dust mites, pet dander, and pollen.
The FPR, or filter performance rating, labels filters according to a numerical scale from 4 to 10, in addition to a color coding system. It's not until FPR 4 and 5 that filters start to trap larger particles, such as household dust and lint, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander.My advice, no matter where you buy your filters, buy only the ones that qualify according to the national standard which is MERV; don't buy FPR. Alternatively, Home Depot filters would be in the Good category in FPR 4 or 5 which is dominated by brands such as Honeywell and Nordic Pure. If I'm reading DT's Nordic Air chart correctly that means that both the Honeywell FPR 9 and the Filtrete 1900 are MERV 12. The FPR classification was developed by The Home Depot and is used for brands of HVAC air filters sold in their stores.
The FPR is only used by The Home Depot and applies only to the brands of HVAC air filters that they sell in their stores.The FPR or Filter Performance Rating is a system developed specifically for The Home Depot (developed by 3M) and only applies to brands sold in their stores. While The Home Depot uses FPR the industry standard is to use the Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) air filter rating system. A minimum efficiency report value (MERV) and a filter performance index (FPR) are two ways to measure the effectiveness of an air filter. But since air filters play such an important role knowing the MERV and FPR ratings will help you get the most out of your heating and cooling system.A Home Depot FPR 7 filter should perform similarly and you'll need to upgrade to the 600 series if you want to opt for 3M and Filtrete.