We are using Mitsubishi fan coil units on a project and provided a description of the permanent filter type in lieu of the MERV rating requested in the table for IEQc3.1. The reviewer has asked us to correct with the MERV rating and provide verification of it. Mitsubishi does not rate their filters, however, so can we use data from another manufacturer that has a similar filter with particulate removal rates indicated and approximate the MERV rating (these would equate to MERV 5 filters)? We are also wanting some clarification about any specific MERV rating requirement (6 or greater) for permanent filters, as an earlier thread seems to indicate there is none. Grateful for any feedback!
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Dylan Connelly
Mechanical EngineerIntegral Group
LEEDuser Expert
472 thumbs up
December 16, 2013 - 7:09 pm
You need to provide MERV 8 filters for this credit. The Mitsubishi filters don't sound like they cut it.
Depending on the type of fan coil unit you might be able to use your own filter. If not it is probably a small unit and you could just not run it during construction.
kathy zarsky
Systems DirectorHOLOS
15 thumbs up
December 18, 2013 - 1:31 pm
Dylan, thanks for your reply. I don't think my question was clear. We did use MERV 8 filters during construction, but now we are seeking clarification on the MERV requirement for the filters used post-occupancy, e.g. the permanent filters. I see that you confirmed our finding of MERV 6 in a post below.
Thank you!
Francis Chua
AssociateNK Architects
17 thumbs up
November 17, 2014 - 11:10 am
Kathy: straight from the Reference Guide:
"The contractor should replace all filtration media just before occupancy, installing only a single set of filtration media. Note that the requirement for MERV 13 rated filters has been moved to IEQ Credit 5: Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control. This credit does not regulate the efficiency of the filters used for the long-term operation of the building".
To answer your question, if you are going for IEQc5, you need to use MERV 13 filters. If you are not going for IEQc5, then it doesn't matter what MERV rating you use, but they still want to know what the rating is.
Lawrence Lile
Chief EngineerLile Engineering, LLC
76 thumbs up
July 24, 2016 - 10:18 pm
I believe that mini-splits like Mitsubishi makes cannot qualify for this credit as they are not capable of handling such thick filters. If memory serves me there is actually a CIR on this subject but I could be mistaken.