Without a filter, the condensate drain of your air conditioning unit will not be able to drain moisture, resulting in condensation building up in the Freon tube and dripping down the tray, causing water damage to the entire system. It is essential to run your air conditioner only with a filter installed, as dirt is the leading cause of air conditioners breakdown. The purpose of your air filter is to clean the air in your home and keep your air conditioning system free of dust and dirt. You can run the air conditioner while you go to the store, but it should never work without an air cleaner for more than 6-8 hours.
Otherwise, you could be configuring your system for serious damage. The longer you leave your air conditioner running without a filter, the more likely you are to have problems with indoor air quality. You or others in your household may experience increased symptoms of allergy, respiratory problems, eye irritation, or irritation of the nose and throat. Your air conditioner blows cold air into your home, but at the same time, dust or other particles that are trapped inside your HVAC system will also be expelled if you don't have a filter. Your air conditioner filter is usually made of spun fiberglass material or of pleated paper or cloth within a frame.
It is important to keep it clean and efficient so that hot or cold air can make your commercial space or home comfortable. Dirt and dust normally absorbed by the filter can penetrate the air conditioning system and wreak havoc on mechanical components, often leading to costly repairs. No, operating the air conditioner without a filter is not recommended and it is generally dangerous to the health of the air conditioner. All the dirt and debris that will surely accumulate on the unit will make it even more difficult for it to operate, so you will need more energy to reach the temperature set on the thermostat. To be clear, if this is how your cooling system normally operates, you may need an air conditioner repair much sooner than expected. The coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic has particles with peaks that measure between 9 and 12 nanometers, which means that an HVAC system or air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter can effectively reduce its presence in the air.
By trapping these particles within its fibers, the filter keeps them out of the HVAC system, helping to protect your family and your air conditioning equipment. Running the air conditioner at any time without an air cleaner is not recommended because of the permanent damage it can cause to the HVAC system. You'll face higher energy bills because your air conditioner works more often and for longer periods of time. Although they are only one component of your HVAC system, your filters serve an especially important purpose. Because air filters typically trap dirt, dust, hair, and other contaminants, operating the air conditioner without a filter will cause debris to recirculate throughout the home.
