Is it Safe to Run Your HVAC System Without an Air Filter?

The short answer is yes, your HVAC system can operate without a filter. However, just because you can doesn't mean you should. Running your HVAC unit without a filter is probably OK for a short period of time, but continuing to do so for more than six hours is already delaying it. Yes, all & heat pumps in the ovens have filters. If your home uses another type of heating system, such as a boiler that uses water to heat the house, you won't have filters, but for an oven or heat pump, a filter is a vital component.

An oven filter serves as a barrier to trap dust and debris entering the return duct from reaching the fan. This protects the oven and keeps the air cleaner, since the HVAC system does not recirculate allergens to the air. Using an air filter and changing it every month or two is incredibly important if you want your air conditioner to run smoothly. Despite what some people may think, it's not optional equipment. In fact, air filters are completely necessary if you want to have a functional air conditioner and a healthy home.

I can almost guarantee that if you don't use one, or if you don't change it regularly, your house won't be a very pleasant place this summer. Usually, vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can expect to change filters every 9-12 months. However, regardless of your appearance, you should change your filter after three months for 1″ filters and every 6 months for 5″ filters. While it is possible to operate the system without a filter in the air conditioner, HVAC experts do not recommend it at all. The only type of filters that trap allergens and spores are HEPA, or high-energy particulate air filters.

You might end up having to replace your air conditioner a year or two early, and in the meantime, you're likely to pay for costly air conditioning repairs. Since filters aren't designed to work indefinitely, even if you have a filter in your oven, it could clog if it hasn't been changed in a while. An air conditioner works by drawing air from your room and blowing it through copper tubes that are filled with freon. The air filter in your air conditioner is responsible for filtering unpleasant dirt from your home air so that what you inhale is pure, clean and allergen-free. That means you'll need to go to a local factory authorized dealer to get models directly from your air conditioner manufacturer, not one-size-fits-all air filters from a hardware store. The main purpose of the air conditioning filter is to clean the air circulating in the air conditioning system.

Air filters typically have a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) that determines the type and size of contaminants against which the filter will act. If your air conditioner has a reusable filter, you'll need to handle it with care to ensure it keeps your air conditioner running at peak efficiency. It's important to note that there are high-efficiency filters that are designed to filter out small bacterial, mold, and fungal particles, but your standard MERV 8-11 filters will simply block out larger particles of dust, dirt & hair.It's clear that running an HVAC system without an air filter isn't ideal. Not only does it put extra strain on the system itself but it also reduces indoor air quality significantly.

If you want to keep your home comfortable and healthy this summer season, make sure you install an appropriate filter in your HVAC system and change it regularly.