What Happens If You Don’t Use an Air Compressor Filter?

The thing about an air compressed filter is that it is not theoretically mandatory to use for your air compressor system. It can run just fine without a filter. But does that mean you shouldn’t use one? What happens if you don’t use a filter? 

Because trust me, there are consequences of not using an air filter, ones you are not going to like. So, today, I will be Team Air Filter, giving you all the arguments in favor of using an air filter. And I am sure, by the end of the article, you will switch to my team. 

Let’s start! 

Can You Run A Compressor Without A Filter? 

As I already said, you can. An air compressor compresses the air by raising its pressure and saves it in a storage for future use. 

Now, the compression is done in multiple stages using a number of mechanical methods. But none of them involve a filter in the entire process. So, yes, you can run a compressor without a filter. The system will produce compressed air as it does, and your facilities, tools, or HVAC systems will use that air without any issue. 

But that is not ideal at all. Using an air compressor without an air filter means you are using unfiltered, uncleaned, unsafe air. That will be very risky and costly for your staff’s health, production quality, and overall facilities. 

What Happens If You Don’t Use A Filter? 

Now, following up on the last section, how does the lack of a filter make things risky and costly for you? See below. 

Issues With The Air Compressor And Motor 

Most of the time, the motor and air compressor malfunction because of the buildup of dirt. If you do not use a filter, dirt will soon deposit inside them, disrupting the system’s activities. To prevent this from happening, protect your equipment with quality air filters.

Water Damage 

The lack of a filter will cause the condensate drain to become clogged with contaminants. Usually, the drain removes the excess humidity that your HVAC systems take out of the atmosphere. But when there is no filter for the moisture to pass through, it will create water damage to the system. 

Poor Air Quality 

Not using a filter permits harmful particles to circulate in the air and affect its quality. So, if you notice your family members or employees frequently suffering from allergies or asthma, know that it is because you don’t use a filter. Besides, the poor air quality will also lower your product quality. 

Increased Energy Bills 

Since the air compressor may face random issues without a filter, it will have to use more power to produce compressed air. That means the same amount of air will consume more energy than it would with a filter. This will increase your overall energy bills. 

Filthy Ductwork 

Dust will travel freely in and around your system in the absence of an air filter. Over time, it will take place inside the ductwork. That will consequently result in insufficient airflow, among other problems. 

Increased Maintenance Cost 

When you don’t use a filter, your air compressor works harder to function properly. That puts a lot of strain on the equipment. So it will require more frequent maintenance. It may even break down soon, causing you expensive repairs. 

Others 

Apart from the mentioned problems, you may face more, like increased production downtime, blockage in your pneumatic tools, sudden shutdowns of the compressor, etc. 

What Dirt Particles Are Found In Unfiltered Compressed Air? 

There are different types of dirt particles found in unfiltered compressed air. For example, there is dust and debris floating in the air. You and I may not see it. But they are there. This applies everywhere. Be it the inside of your home or your production facilities. They are unavoidable. 

Then there is oil residue and water vapor in the air. They cannot be avoided, too, because your compressed air system itself is responsible for them. It often requires lubricants for functioning, and the residue can mix with the compressed air. Similarly, water vapor or atmospheric moisture is formed during the air compression process. That causes the compressed air to carry water droplets with it. 

And there’s more. There are microorganisms, like viruses and bacteria, in the compressed air. Even though your compressor comes with an inlet filter, it cannot handle the microscopic particles effectively. Plus, other pollutants, like rust and corrosion, are also found in compressed air if you don’t use a filter. 

Can An Air Filter Remove These Particles?

Absolutely. An air filter is made to remove these particles. There are different types of filters with different working methods. But they all do the same thing: capturing dust and contaminants from the compressed air, trapping them, and making the air clean and safe for particular applications. 

Does An Air Filter Help An Air Compressor System Perform Better? 

Yes, an air filter helps an air compressor perform better. It acts as the first layer of protection, catching debris and microorganisms before they enter the air compressor. 

That means the compressor gets clean air to compress. As a result, it does not have to deal with the particulates. If you didn’t have any filter, these particulates would eventually build up inside the internal parts of the compressor. That would gradually affect the compressor’s performance, causing you to spend lots of money on maintenance. 

Besides, by saving the compressor from facing the dust particles, an air filter reduces the pressure drop. That way, it enables the compressor to work at its full capacity with higher efficiency. 

What Filter Should I Get For My Air Compressor System? 

Okay, now you’re asking the right question! What filter you should get for your air compressor system depends on some factors.

First of all, there are different types of filters, i.e., particulate filters, coalescing filters, and activated carbon filters. While they all clean the air, their capability of purifying differs. For example, particular filters do a decent job of trapping large dust particles. On the other hand, if you need to remove oil and water droplets, you will need a coalescing filter. 

Secondly, the application of compressed air is also a critical factor. For your HVAC systems, you won’t need an advanced filter. But if you need it for a production facility, especially if it involves food or chemicals, you’ll need a sophisticated filter or maybe a combination of different filters. That’s because the air needs to be absolutely clean to ensure product quality. 

Similarly, there are other factors, like the operating area’s environment, air compressor types, usage frequency, etc. You need to consider each of them to choose the right filter for your system. 

Read More: How to choose the Right Filter for Your Air Compressor System

Final Words 

What happens if you don’t use a filter? I hope my discussion above addressed the question properly. I also hope you are now convinced enough to switch sides and get an air filter for your system. 

Getting an air filter means extra cost and extra maintenance work. But if you go the extra mile, you will save yourself a lot of hassles and money by avoiding larger expenses and health risks. After all, a stitch in time does save nine!