About mesh filter for window A/C?

Question

I have a Maytag 6000 BTU window A/C with a reusable mesh filter. Recently I removed the dust in the filter with one of those disposable dust removers, and noticed a corner of the filter had one of the mesh "strings" slightly pulled. This created a slight opening in the filter, so that a few of the squares are slightly bigger than the others.

Have you seen a similar thing in your own A/C filter? Does it matter and affect your A/C, or my unit will be able to run troublefree?

A plus if you know what the filter actually does, and how this small pull in the filter may/may not affect the performance.

Answer 1

There will be no immediate harm. You can run the A/C, but I would suggest you buy a new filter for that model.

The filter keeps airborn dust from coating the cooling coil and other parts of the unit. Consisting use of the unit over a long period of time will clog the cooling fins.