Understanding Air Filter Types and Standards: A 2026 Procurement Primer

Understanding Air Filter Types and Standards: A 2026 Procurement Primer

Air filters are an essential component in HVAC systems, household air purifiers, cleanrooms, and even aircraft ventilation. Selecting the correct filter type and efficiency grade directly impacts air quality, energy consumption, and system longevity. This primer provides a technical overview of the most common air filter categories, their efficiency standards, and typical applications — helping procurement professionals make informed sourcing decisions in 2026.

Why Filter Selection Matters

With dozens of filter models, media materials, and efficiency ratings on the market, buyers often struggle to match a filter to their specific operating environment. Misclassification can lead to inadequate particle removal or excessive pressure drop. Understanding the structured classification system — from coarse panel filters to ultra-low penetration cleanroom filters — is the first step toward a successful procurement strategy.

Industry Background

The air filter manufacturing industry serves residential, commercial, industrial, and specialized sectors such as aerospace and pharmaceuticals. According to the company profile, Nantong Henka Environment Solutions Co., Ltd. (Henkaes), established in 2004, is one of the professional air filter manufacturers for air purifiers, air cleaners, and ventilation systems. The company is located in Haimen City, Jiangsu Province, 120 km from Shanghai, and operates a 30,000 m² facility with an annual production capacity of 2,000,000 pieces. Approximately 69% of its products are exported to Europe and the USA.

Detailed Product Portfolio

Henkaes manufactures a comprehensive range of air filters covering multiple efficiency grades and application areas. The key categories are as follows:

Household Air Purifier Filters

• HEPA Air Filter (model unspecified): Efficiency grade H13, made of fiberglass and polypropylene (PP). Intended for household air purifiers and air cleaners.
• True HEPA Air Filter: Efficiency ≥99.97%, made of fiberglass and PP. Applicable to household air purifiers and air cleaners.
• Activated Carbon Filter: Contains activated carbon with CTC grades CTC70, CTC80, CTC90, and CTC100. Designed for air purifiers and air cleaners to remove odors and gases.
• VOC Air Filter: Made of activated carbon and special catalyst. Specifically formulated to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Used in air purifiers and air cleaners.

HVAC Filtration (Commercial & Public Buildings)

• Panel Filter: Efficiency range G1–G4, made of fiberglass and PP. Suitable for commercial building ventilation in places like airports, hotels, museums, and restaurants.
• Bag Filter: Efficiency grades F5, F6, F8, and F9, made of microfine fiberglass. Typical applications include airports, hotels, museums, and restaurants.
• Box Filter: Efficiency ratings MERV 15 and MERV 16, made of microfiberglass. Designed for use in pharmaceutical plants, hospitals, and food and beverage production sites.
• Furnace Air Filter: Efficiency grades MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13, made of polypropylene (PP). Intended for commercial and public buildings such as airports, hotels, museums, and restaurants.
• V-Bank Filter: Efficiency grade H13, made of fiberglass and PP. Suitable for commercial and public buildings (airports, hotels, museums, restaurants).

Cleanroom & High-Efficiency Filters

• Cleanroom Air Filter (model Cleanroom Air Filter): Efficiency grades U14/U15. Made of microfiberglass and PTFE. Applied in microelectronics and data centers within the cleanroom industry.

Aerospace & Aviation

• B737/B757 Electronic Cabin Air Filter: Made of microfiberglass with H13 efficiency per EN 1822. Designed for cabin ventilation in commercial aircraft such as the B737 and B757.

Step-by-Step Filter Selection Guide

1. Identify the application industry – Household, commercial HVAC, cleanroom, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, or aerospace.
2. Determine the required efficiency level – For pre-filtration, use G1–G4 (Panel) or MERV 8–13 (Furnace). For general HVAC, F5–F9 (Bag) or MERV 15–16 (Box). For high-efficiency, H13 (HEPA/V-Bank) or ≥99.97% (True HEPA). For ultra-clean environments, U14/U15 (Cleanroom).
3. Select the filter media – Options include fiberglass, polypropylene (PP), microfiberglass, PTFE, activated carbon, and special catalysts.
4. Evaluate customization needs – Many projects require customized dimensions, special catalysts (e.g., for specific VOCs), or unique frame designs.

Typical Use Cases

• Household Air Purifier (USA/EU): Filter removes VOCs, pet smell, and harmful gases. Matches the VOC Air Filter with special catalyst. Requires customized dimensions. Operates in auto mode with air purifier.
• Commercial HVAC System (USA/EU): Captures dust and fine particles. Suitable for panel, bag, or box filters. Used in normal indoor environment conditions. Requires fresh air system; may need customized dimensions.
• Pharmaceutical Plant (USA/EU): Box filter (MERV 15/16) captures dust and fine particles. Operates in auto mode with fresh system. Customized dimensions required.
• Cleanroom Design (USA/EU): Cleanroom air filter (U14/U15) captures dust and fine particles. Requires fresh air system. Customized dimensions common.
• Aerospace (China): B737/B757 Electronic Cabin Air filter captures dust and fine particles for cabin air quality.

Quick Comparison Table

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Selecting the right air filter requires a clear understanding of efficiency standards, media types, and application requirements. Henkaes offers a broad product portfolio that covers household, commercial, cleanroom, and aerospace filtration needs, backed by ISO certifications and in-house testing laboratories. For a complete overview of products and specifications, download the company's product catalogue below.

Download the full product catalogue: E-Catalogue for Air Filter (PDF)