Have you ever forgotten to change your HVAC filter? It’s common for busy homeowners and business owners to ignore the problem until their cooling system plays up. You must change out filthy, dust-coated filters as soon as possible, but how long can you run an AC without a filter? Hours? Weeks?
Find out below from SM Mechanical Services, your trusted provider of AC repair services in Colchester, CT.
Your Air Filter’s Role in Cooling Cycles
First, take a look at what HVAC filters do to enable proper cooling cycles. A filter fits snugly in the return register, which sucks in and transfers indoor air to the air handler. This air handler cools the returning air before redistributing it through the ductwork, but it relies on the filter to keep that air supply clean.
When the air passes through the filter, the media captures dust, mold spores, dander, and outdoor filth. Filtering out these particles protects your indoor air quality, but trapping these pollutants also means the filter becomes caked in debris over time. A filthy, neglected air filter is among the most common air conditioning concerns and leads to many other problems.
How Often Should You Change Your Air Filter?
How long can you run your AC without a filter when you don’t have a replacement yet? Firstly, it’s important to note that the ideal frequency for changing air filters is every three months. Quarterly replacements are the minimum for households and businesses in Colchester, Connecticut, but your lifestyle, indoor activities, and location matter, too.
If you share your home with cats, for example, you should replace your filters more often to prevent pet dander from creating an airflow restriction. Fine fur and shed skin cells easily clog up the media long before this three-month minimum. Other factors that might increase filter change frequency include:
- Recent renovation or remodeling projects
- Recent water damage or mold mitigation services
- Pollen or cold and flu seasons
- Extra dusty materials
If you’ve taken it out, how long can you run an AC without a filter without causing any adverse effects? Let’s take a look.
Here’s How Long Can You Run an AC Without a Filter in Colchester, Connecticut
The short answer is this: You should never run your air conditioner without a filter!
You don’t want to keep using a filter caked with debris, as this risks your system overheating. Intense airflow restrictions force the machinery to work harder and harder. However, simply removing the filter while you run the cooling system will also incur damage.
Without a filter, dust and dirt readily travel through the return register, coating the ductwork and internal HVAC components and causing:
- Worsening indoor air quality
- Overheating components
- Drain line clogs
- Filthy or damaged air ducts
- Friction that damages parts
How long can you run an AC without a filter in environments like Colchester, Connecticut? You can’t! Even if you can get away with a day or two using the dirty filter, make replacements a priority.
What Should You Do When You Can’t Run to the Filter Store But You Need the HVAC To Work?
Life gets in the way, but a well-maintained air conditioner can be fairly forgiving. When you can’t run to a nearby store to grab a filter, you might be able to remove and clean the old one. Lightly dampen a microfiber cloth, brush away the bulk of the dust accumulation, and put it back.
Cleanings may prevent evaporator coil damage, which happens with restricted airflow, but it’s a last resort. You’ll want to use your air conditioner as sparingly as possible until you purchase new filters. Maintain a conservative temperature setting, and use fans to keep the air moving.
Making Filter Replacements Easier To Remember
Don’t let the hustle and bustle get in the way of maintaining your HVAC system. Try the following:
- Keep multiple filters in storage. Having a few on hand takes the pressure off.
- Schedule routine HVAC maintenance. A technician should visit twice annually in Colchester, Connecticut.
- Ask the experts. How often does your technician suggest changing the filter for better HVAC efficiency? That frequency helps you decide how many to store and when to inspect your unit.
And why not set a reminder for timely alerts to change your HVAC system’s filters?
Ask SM Mechanical Services About Air Conditioning Maintenance in Colchester, Connecticut
How long can you run an AC without a filter? You shouldn’t, which is why SM Mechanical Services recommends regular HVAC maintenance service in Colchester, Connecticut. We can also assist with troubleshooting sudden HVAC failures and handling repairs, so give us a call!