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Dust, pollen, and coarse industrial particles can overwhelm high-efficiency filters long before they reach end-of-life, driving up replacement costs and energy bills.
That’s where the G4 air filter earns its keep. Under the newer ISO 16890 standard—which is rapidly replacing the old EN 779 classification—G4 corresponds to the ePM₁₀ 50 % class: it captures roughly half of all particles 10 µm and larger while keeping pressure drop low.
In practical terms, a G4 panel or pleated pre-filter acts as the frontline defense in HVAC systems, shielding pricier MERV 13–16 or HEPA stages from heavy dust loading.
Put simply, a G4 air filter is a low-to-medium efficiency pre-filter designed to extend the life and cut the running costs of your downstream, high-efficiency filtration.
Europe’s legacy EN 779:2012 labeled coarse-dust filters from G1 to G4. A G4 filter had to remove ≥ 90 % of synthetic ASHRAE test dust at 2 m s⁻¹. The newer ISO 16890 standard, now dominant worldwide, classifies filters by real-world particle sizes. A former G4 falls into ePM₁₀ 50 %, meaning it captures at least 50 % of particles ≤ 10 µm—roughly MERV 7–8 on the ASHRAE 52.2 scale.
ISO 16890 conditions filters to neutralize electrostatic charge, then measures efficiency across four particle bins and multiple flow rates. Initial pressure drop (ΔP) is recorded at rated velocity; a quality G4 panel starts around 60–90 Pa, keeping fan energy low. Because ΔP rises linearly with airflow resistance, selecting low-resistance G4 media protects downstream hospital air filters or HEPA stages without inflating operating costs or compromising system performance.
A G4 air filter works like a sturdy screen door for your HVAC system, trapping the bulkier offenders—dust, lint, pollen, and metal shavings in the 3–10 µm range. These coarse particles account for much of the visible dirt that would otherwise coat ducts and coils.
Fresh G4 panels or pleats add only 60–90 Pa of resistance at rated airflow, so fans don’t need extra power to keep air moving. As the media loads with debris, ΔP rises steadily but stays well below the steep climb seen in finer filters.
By capturing heavy dust up front, the G4 pre-filter shields costlier MERV 13–16 or HEPA stages from early clogging. This extended life reduces change-out frequency, cuts energy bills, and keeps downstream “hospital air filters” operating at peak efficiency.
| Filter Class | Particle Capture* | Initial ΔP (Pa) | Typical Use | Relative Cost | Energy Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G4 (ePM₁₀ 50 %) | ≈ 50 % @ 10 µm | 60–90 | Pre-filter, dusty warehouses | Low | Lowest |
| MERV 8 | ≈ 70 % @ 3–10 µm | 80–120 | Offices, retail AHUs | Moderate | Low |
| MERV 13 | ≥ 90 % @ 1–3 µm | 110–170 | Hospitals, schools, IAQ retrofits | Higher | Moderate |
When Each Makes Sense
Choose G4 where coarse dust dominates and energy savings outweigh fine-particle control.
Opt for MERV 8 to balance everyday indoor-air quality with modest fan power.
Select MERV 13 when PM₂.₅ reduction, infection risk, or accreditation targets demand higher efficiency.
*Particle capture values derived from ASHRAE 52.2 test ranges.
High forklift traffic and pallet dust make warehouses prime candidates for G4 air filter applications. A low‐resistance G4 panel captures cardboard fibers and coarse dirt before they clog evaporator coils.
Classrooms generate chalk dust, paper lint, and outdoor pollen tracked in by students. Installing G4 pre-filters upstream of MERV 13 finals keeps HVAC pressure drop low while protecting sensitive occupants.
Electronics assembly lines and food-processing plants rely on clean, temperature-controlled air but still face moderate particulate loads. G4 filters remove larger particles without burdening rooftop units with extra fan energy.
For multi-story office buildings and shopping malls, G4 pre-filters extend the service life of MERV 8–11 main filters, cutting maintenance labor and energy costs. In all these settings, the G4’s balance of efficiency and minimal pressure drop makes it the economical first line of defense.
Lower upfront cost and readily available panel or pleat formats make G4 media an economical choice for large HVAC intakes. With an initial pressure drop of only 60–90 Pa, these filters impose minimal fan-power penalties, translating to measurable energy savings. Acting as pre-filters, they intercept coarse dust and lint, shielding higher-efficiency stages—MERV 13, HEPA, or carbon beds—from premature clogging and costly change-outs.
G4 efficiency targets particles ≥ 3 µm and captures only about 50 percent of PM₁₀, leaving finer PM₂.₅ and microbiological aerosols largely untouched. They therefore cannot meet stringent IAQ or infection-control standards on their own. Facilities needing sub-micron filtration must pair G4 pre-filters with higher-grade media, differential-pressure monitoring, and disciplined maintenance schedules.
G4 media comes in synthetic polyester, fiberglass, and progressively-structured blends. Synthetic mats resist moisture and microbial growth, while fiberglass offers stable efficiencies at higher temperatures.
Pleated G4 filters pack more surface area into the same face size, lowering pressure drop and extending service life—ideal for variable-air-volume systems. Flat disposable panels cost less but load faster, suiting low-traffic intakes.
Cardboard frames are economical for dry, conditioned spaces; galvanized steel or aluminum frames withstand humidity and cleaning cycles. Standard depths range from 1″ (25 mm) to 4″ (100 mm). Deeper cartridges deliver lower ΔP and longer intervals between change-outs, making them the smart pick where access for maintenance is limited.
Clean-Link offers a range of high-performance air filtration products designed for office buildings. Our solutions are tailored to improve indoor air quality and employee comfort.
Correct installation ensures a G4 filter delivers its rated efficiency.
Always align the arrow on the filter frame with system airflow. Reverse installation increases pressure drop and can collapse pleats.
Compressible foam or neoprene gaskets must seat evenly against the filter rack. Replace torn or flattened gaskets to maintain a uniform seal.
Use retaining clips or cam-lock doors to hold the filter firmly in place. Even a 1 mm gap allows unfiltered air to shortcut the media, negating the filter’s performance and contaminating downstream coils.
Install differential-pressure gauges across each G4 bank and log readings weekly. Plot values on a loading curve: once ΔP climbs 50–75 Pa above the clean baseline, efficiency drops and fan energy spikes. Schedule change-outs at that inflection point rather than on a rigid calendar.
Supplement gauges with monthly visual inspections—look for dust matting, media tears, or collapsed pleats. A flashlight beam behind the filter quickly reveals thin spots and bypass gaps.
Change-out economics are simple: the cost of a new G4 is usually offset by the fan-power savings realized when ΔP resets to 60–90 Pa. Timely replacement protects downstream stages and keeps operating expenses in check.
Every pascal of pressure drop forces the supply fan to draw more wattage. A clean G4 filter’s low ΔP—typically 60–90 Pa—can save 5–10 % of fan energy compared with denser media.
Over a year of continuous operation, that difference translates into hundreds of kilowatt-hours and measurable utility savings.
Pairing low-resistance G4 pre-filters with electronically commutated motors (ECMs) maximizes efficiency.
ECMs adjust rpm to the real-time load, trimming power as filters clog and ramping smoothly after change-out.
This dynamic balancing maintains target airflow while keeping energy use—and operating costs—in check.
Typically 3–6 months, depending on dust load and ΔP limits.
Cardboard-framed panels can be separated; media usually goes to landfill.
Most are disposable; washable G4 pads exist but require specialized cleaning.
Yes—follow airflow arrow to avoid higher pressure drop.
G4 air filters deliver the sweet spot of affordability, low pressure drop, and coarse-particle capture—extending the life of your higher-grade media and trimming fan energy costs.
To capitalize on these advantages, audit your current pre-filter lineup: record differential pressures, inspect for bypass leaks, and compare replacement intervals. Upgrading to well-sized, low-resistance G4 panels or pleats can yield immediate savings and smoother HVAC performance.
Start your assessment today and align filtration strategy with both budget and indoor-air goals.
Selecting the right air filters for your facilities can be a challenging task, given the variety of filter types and specifications available. If you're unsure about which filter best suits your needs, our team of experts is here to help.
With years of experience in air filtration solutions, we can guide you in choosing the ideal filter to optimize your application's performance and ensure superior air quality.
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