Furnace filters are small devices that must be checked periodically and replaced as needed. What happens when you can’t replace the filter as needed? When the filter is too dirty to continue to use, can you safely run the furnace without a filter? It’s not a good idea. You might be surprised to discover that you would be better off running the furnace with the existing filter than not using a filter at all. If this isn’t an option, turn the furnace off until you can install a new filter.
What Does a Furnace Filter Do?
The filter in your furnace has two major purposes. First, it keeps dust and other debris from building up on the various components of your heating and cooling system, which helps reduce the risk of damage. It also keeps these particulates from circulating throughout your home, ensuring that the air you breathe is clean.
First, the air is pulled into the furnace through the blower fan. Then, it is passed through the filter and is then heated and recirculated through your home. Air filters can be made of tightly woven cloth, fiberglass, paper, or any combination of these materials. Without an air filter, both you and your HVAC system are vulnerable to all the dust and other dirt that moves through the blower fan.
What Happens When You Run Your Furnace Without a Filter?
If you do have to run your furnace without a filter for a few hours or even overnight, it’s unlikely to cause serious damage to your health or equipment. Any longer than that, however, and you could be facing potentially major problems.
Running your furnace without a filter could lead to:
Poor Air Quality
Without a filter, your indoor air quality will inevitably suffer over time. All the dust, pet hair, dander, and other contaminants in your home will repeatedly get pulled into your heating and cooling system and then recirculated back out into your home. Not only is your furnace potentially filling with debris, but your lungs could be, too.
Ductwork Contamination
If you operate your furnace without a filter, air toxins and pollutants will travel through the ductwork in your home. The debris could be trapped in the ribbing of the aluminum tubes. As the contaminants accumulate, they could also collect moisture within the ductwork. This creates the ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow. Mold spores will then be circulated throughout the home every time the HVAC operates, and over time, mold spores can make you sick even if you don’t have allergies.
Another risk of contaminated ductwork is that it’s an appealing home for insects and other vermin. You could end up with an infestation. If your ductwork is so damaged that cleaning alone won’t restore it, you could be facing hefty expenses.
Health Problems
With the poor air quality that comes from running your furnace without a filter, your health could also suffer. Headaches, coughing, shortness of breath, irritation, and allergies can all be brought on by the contaminants circulating freely throughout your home.
Furnace Failure
When there is no filter to block dust and dirt, particles can accumulate on the components of your furnace, leading to expensive problems. Blowers with buildup and evaporator coils that are dirty can put stress on the belts and the motor. This could cause system failure, requiring a potentially costly repair or perhaps even a replacement.
The Risks of Running Your Furnace With a Dirty Filter
Using your furnace without a filter for more than a few hours or a day can be extremely problematic, but running it with a dirty filter for too long can also be problematic. Here’s what you need to know.
Running a furnace with a dirty filter won’t necessarily cause any serious harm for a couple of days and is preferable to using a furnace with no filter at all. However, going more than a couple of days with a dirty filter can lead to other problems. When a filter is clogged with debris, dust, and contaminants, air will not circulate through the system properly. Your furnace will have to work extra hard to move air, putting excessive stress on the system. Your energy bills could increase, and your furnace could be susceptible to damage.
Increasing Your Indoor Air Quality in a Pinch
If you have to run your furnace through a dirty filter or even without a filter for a very short time, it is best to implement ways to improve your indoor air quality as an offset. This can include increasing the ventilation in your home by opening the windows or doors. You can also run the exhaust above the stove or in the bathroom. If you have an air purifier, utilizing it can also be helpful. None of these methods will help completely, but they may improve air quality somewhat while you await a professional to help with your furnace filter.
Prevention
Ideally, you’ll never be in a scenario in which you have to choose between running your furnace with a dirty filter or without one at all. Staying on top of your air filter changes will certainly help reduce the risk. Generally, most people should change their furnace filter about every three months. You could need more frequent changes if you have pets or allergies.
This frequency might seem like a hassle, or you might forget to change filters entirely. If you tend to forget routine maintenance like this, a routine maintenance plan with Oak Island Heating and Air Conditioning can handle the job for you. We take the guesswork out of filter changes and always have fresh, appropriately sized filters ready to replace your old, dirty filter. We’ll even perform a basic check to ensure there are no potential issues that could cause costly breakdowns.
Your Trusted San Marcos Team
If you are in San Marcos, CA, and the surrounding area, you have found a company you can trust with your heating and cooling needs. Oak Island Heating and Air Conditioning dates back to 1984, so we have the experience and expertise you want from an HVAC company. Our team will make sure that your furnace is always running optimally and that you do not wind up running your furnace with a clogged and dirty filter. Besides routine furnace maintenance, we offer other heating services, such as repairs and installations. For those looking for a modern heating solution, we offer heat pump systems and other energy-efficient alternatives to conventional HVAC systems, such as ductless mini-split systems. Other services include indoor air-quality products like UV lights and air purification systems. We can help you transform your home’s comfort and invest in its overall value using cost-effective, energy-efficient solutions.
If you are ready to experience the best that San Marcos has to offer, give Oak Island Heating and Air Conditioning a call today or fill out our online form.
