So it seems that as of July 2010, MERV 13 filters were only required on the outside supply air. However, according to October 2011 update, it seems that the MERV 13 Filter requirement has been revised to once again include return supply air:
"Filtration should be applied to process both return and outside air that is delivered as supply air."
Anybody else have any experience with this?
Thanks
Dylan Connelly
Mechanical EngineerIntegral Group
LEEDuser Expert
472 thumbs up
November 8, 2011 - 3:56 pm
EunChung,
It seems as though you are correct. Here is a link to the "LEED Addenda" website.
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=2200#BD+C
Because this is new legislation I can only give you my interpretation:
The intention of the correction is to clarify where the MERV 13 filters should be located inside an AHU that supplies OSA and recirculate air. The filter should not be at the OSA damper, but instead downstream of the mixing of the return air and the OSA to filter both the OSA and recirculated air.
However, an indoor fan coiling unit or heat pump that is recirculating air to condition a space would not require MERV 13 if it is not pulling air directly from outside. Even if there is a DOAS providing OSA air into a mixing boxing in the back of the FCU/heat pump, it should still not require a MERV 13 filter (only MERV 8 for ASHRAE). The MERV 13 filter would be in the DOAS.