Micron

By Anne Fonda

A micron is a very small unit of measurement equal to one-millionth of a meter. In the HVAC industry, we use microns to measure how effective an air filtration system is at capturing even the tiniest particles.

One micron, or micrometer, is smaller than the eye can see. It’s equivalent in size to 0.000001 meters. Depending on your vision, the human eye can see particles that are 40 microns and larger. For comparison, the width of a human hair is between 50 & 100 microns.

The following chart shows the size in microns of some common household contaminants.

Data from the National Interagency Fire Center.

One micron equals 0.001 millimeters. One micron equals 0.0000393701 inches. As you can see, one micron is tiny, minuscule, and invisible to the naked eye.

HVAC filters and whole-house air cleaners are designed to capture microscopic particles and keep them from entering your HVAC system. This can prolong the life of your HVAC system, but more importantly, a good filtration system can improve your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ).

Some of these microscopic particles include:

Air filters and whole-home air purification systems have a MERV rating, which indicates what size particles they can filter out. In general, the higher the MERV rating, the more effective the filter is at capturing microscopic particles.  

If you or a family member has allergies, asthma, a respiratory illness, or if you have pets or want to dust less, investing in a higher-quality air filtration system could be a smart choice.

The following table shows what size particles some standard MERV-rated filters can capture.

Our QuikBox™ Air Cleaner is available in MERV 11 and MERV 13 and is available in several different sizes. While standard filters may need to be changed every month to every 3 months, a QuikBox™ Air Cleaner filter can last as long as 6 months.

Work with your American Standard dealer to help ensure you have the right filter for your HVAC system. They know about more than standard HVAC system components. They are well-versed in ways to improve indoor air quality, from air purification systems to humidity control to ventilation.

Anne Fonda, Content Writer

A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need. 

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

Expert review by Sean Goddard, Product Manager, Coils & Indoor Air Quality