Panasonic IB200 ERV filters too expensive
Shawnnixon1
| Posted in General Questions on
I bought a panasonic ERV IB200 and the filters are 130$ canadian each which is ridiculous, I want to know what my options are? Are there companies that make these filters? I thought of adding a filter box but the run from outside to the unit is short I don’t have the space and would restrict the flow.
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The return filter is washable but the outdoor air filter isn't. Have you been cleaning the filter with a vacuum? The manual says vacuum or replace every 90 days.
There does not appear to be an off brand cheaper filter. External filter box may be the only way.
How can it be 90 days when they have hepa merv 13 and merv 8? One should last longer than the other and you cant vaccuum. Thise filters its still dirty
Just what the service manual say, Pg.10. I can't speak to whether it is BS or not.
https://ftp.panasonic.com/ventilationfan/intellibalance/intelli_200_service.pdf
Check out the earlier discussion:
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/question/panasonic-intelli-balance-200-merv-filters
An external filter is not a problem as long as it is larger. A larger filter is also lasts longer as a bonus.
Can you recommend a good filter box?
I'm using a 6" version of this: https://www.hvacquick.com/products/residential/Indoor-Air-Quality/Inline-Filter-Boxes/HVACQuick-CFB-Series-MERV-13-Inline-Filter-Boxes
It's rated from 315 to 630 CFM and has very low resistance (.01-.02") when used with a MERV13 filter at 90 CFM.
I've installed it on the warm side (after the heat exchanger) of the fresh air supply so I did not have to insulate it.
Completely agree that the filter pricing is outrageous. I own this unit and don't appreciate Panasonic putting owners in a position where they need to build their own filter box to avoid predatory filter pricing - Aprilaire sells me much larger MERV13 filters that last much longer for less than half the price so I see no justification for Panasonic's pricing beyond outright greed. Anyone consider it should think carefully about total cost of ownership vs. other options.
The challenge with these units is trying to maintain a compact install package, while also offering filtering. The reality is that you can reduce air flow restriction and filter replacement cost a great deal by tossing the internal filters and going with larger external filters. You can also cut the operating costs for an ERV/HRV with ECM motors significantly as power use for the same target airflow will also drop appreciably. At least one owner has reported the before/after power use of their ERV (IB100?) with external filtration and it was in the order of 30% less with external.
I found the internal filters (very low MERV rating) on a Venmar HRV test unit (about 9" x 14") were at least 2x more restrictive compared to the external 14x14x4 MERV13 I was testing.