A/C Without Filter???

[tskoffina]

Does anyone know if you can run a central A/C without the filter for any period of time? We've been having problems for a year now, and the A/C tech who come out, and my father don't believe me that the leak was from a crack, or something, in the drip / drain pan, and it finally got so bad you can see it, but when I was looking I took out the old, soaking wet filter, and can't get that one back in. I don't want to waste a new one until the morning when I'll show Dad and have him call the people to come look at it. Can I leave it over night, or will something happen to the unit if I leave it out? Too hot to go without A/C, so leaving it off isn't really an option. How did I get to be in charge of fixing, finding out what's wrong, around the house????

 

[onduvalst]

It should be fine until the morning. The tech should clean the unit while repairing it and during that short of a period of time, it shouldn't collect to much dust.

 

[Rickman]

If it's a paper filter, there should be a size printed on the side, and you should be able to get one almost anywhere for around a dollar! Case prices are even cheaper, as you're supposed to change them monthly!
If that pan crack is accesible, you could apply silicone over a clean and dry pan, which would stop the leak.

 

[tskoffina]

I can't actually see it without taking out the triangle thing (coil?), so better left to the pros. I put a filter in this morning as Dad's decided to ignore it a bit longer, and just find a better way to catch the falling water.