What is a Good FPR Rating?

The FPR, or filter performance rating, labels filters according to a numerical scale from 4 to 10, in addition to a color coding system. Developed by The Home Depot for brands sold in its stores, including Honeywell, this classification structure is very similar to the MERV rating. When it comes to effectiveness, it can be difficult to decide between a MERV rating or an FPR rating. Both are useful, but the FPR may be easier to comprehend, since it uses a more intuitive numbering system. FPR scores range from one to ten, with ten being the best.

My advice is to purchase filters with a MERV rating whenever possible. All three classifications have their drawbacks, but even Home Depot and 3M admit on their websites that MERV is the industry standard for rating filters. Furthermore, 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. FPR stands for Filter Performance Rating and is a patented classification system for branded air filters sold by Home Depot in an effort to make their air filters look unique.

A minimum efficiency report value (MERV) and a filter performance index (FPR) are two ways to measure the effectiveness of an air filter. The FPR classification was created by The Home Depot and is used for brands of HVAC air filters sold in their stores. In addition to the filter resistance, the FPR also indicates what type of airborne contaminants each filter is ideal for capturing. For homeowners who are just beginning to use HVAC air filters and care about them, FPR values are an excellent starting point. The higher the rating (for MERV, FPR and MPR), the smaller the air and dust particles your home air conditioning filter can capture.

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. As a result, homeowners often don't see FPR values on HVAC air filters sold outside of The Home Depot. For example, HVAC air filters with an FPR of 4 are “good filters” while HVAC air filters with an FPR of 10 are “premium filters”. While The Home Depot uses FPR, the industry standard is to use the Minimum Efficiency Report Value (MERV) air filter rating system.