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Explore this LEED credit
Post your questions on this credit in the forum, and click on the credit language tab to review to the LEED requirements.
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Requirements
Install air filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 8 or higher on all recirculating space conditioning systems, per ASHRAE 62.2–2010. Design ductwork and specify the central blower to account for the pressure drop across the filter. Air filter housings must be airtight to prevent bypass or leakage.
Nonducted systems are exempt from the minimum MERV 8 requirements but must have an internal air filter in the air-handling unit.
Install air filters rated MERV 6 or higher for mechanically supplied outdoor air for systems with 10 feet (3 meters) of ductwork or more, per ASHRAE 62.2–2010, Section 6.7.
Projects may use equivalent filtration media class of F5 or higher for MERV 8 and G4 or higher for MERV 6, as defined by CEN standard EN779—2002.
Projects that earn the EPA Indoor airPLUS label automatically meet the requirements of this prerequisite.
See all forum discussions about this credit »What does it cost?
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »Frequently asked questions
See all forum discussions about this credit »Addenda
Which LEED v4 Homes credit and prerequisite requirements can be automatically met by the EPA Indoor airPLUS program?
Projects that earn the EPA Indoor airPLUS label, based on Indoor airPLUS Version 1 (Rev 03) Construction Specifications automatically meet the requirements of the following prerequisites and credits:
EQ prerequisite Ventilation;
EQ prerequisite Combustion venting;
EQ prerequisite Garage pollutant protection;
EQ prerequisite Radon-resistant construction;
EQ prerequisite Air filtering;
EQ prerequisite Environmental tobacco smoke;
EQ credit Contaminant control, Option 3. Preoccupancy Flush (0.5 points);
EQ credit Enhanced combustion venting, Option 2. Enhanced combustion venting measures (1 point);
EQ credit Enhanced garage pollutant protection, Case 1. Single Family, Option 1. Exhaust Fan in Garage (1 point)
MR credit Durability management verification (1 point)
SS credit Nontoxic pest control (1 point) , measure: Seal all external cracks, joints, penetrations, edges, and entry points with appropriate caulking. Install rodent- and corrosion-proof screens (e.g., copper or stainless steel mesh) on all openings greater than ¼ inch (6 millimeters), except where code prohibits their installation (e.g., dryer vents), and measure: Design discharge points for rain gutters, air-conditioning condensation lines, steam vent lines, or any other moisture source such that discharge is at least 24 inches (600 millimeters) from the foundation.
In addition, project teams are eligible for an Innovation credit for additional moisture control items covered in Indoor airPLUS and not directly awarded in LEEDv4
Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Install air filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 8 or higher on all recirculating space conditioning systems, per ASHRAE 62.2–2010. Design ductwork and specify the central blower to account for the pressure drop across the filter. Air filter housings must be airtight to prevent bypass or leakage.
Nonducted systems are exempt from the minimum MERV 8 requirements but must have an internal air filter in the air-handling unit.
Install air filters rated MERV 6 or higher for mechanically supplied outdoor air for systems with 10 feet (3 meters) of ductwork or more, per ASHRAE 62.2–2010, Section 6.7.
Projects may use equivalent filtration media class of F5 or higher for MERV 8 and G4 or higher for MERV 6, as defined by CEN standard EN779—2002.
Projects that earn the EPA Indoor airPLUS label automatically meet the requirements of this prerequisite.
