re: Filter box for shop mini-split

Yeah, mine pivots open, but it’s a challenge. 

I’m running MERV 13 filters in it now, and the airflow doesn’t seem to be reduced, and the screen inside the mini-split is staying clean. I ordered filters identical in size to the ones needed by my Rikon air filter that sits next to the split. That pulls a lot of dust out of the air, and mostly runs while I’m in the shop. The filters on the split last about twice as long before they’re visibly “full” as the one in the filter during the summer, but in the winter, I change all three filters at the same time, since the split runs 24/7 (set at 61F) to make sure the plumbing in the shop doesn’t freeze.

The Rikon filter calls for MERV 9 filters, but has another “inner filter” which is supposed to be equivalent to a MERV 13. I’m going to try it with a MERV 13 from FilterBuy next time they get changed and see if that makes it happy or not, because they’re enough cheaper than the Rikon filters that I don’t feel bad changing them more often.