So all good, until yesterday it happened again. I shut the system off and went to bed last night with the windows open (paying for it today, thanks allergies). Turned it on this morning and it kicked back on just fine. So I let it run all day and came home to a cool house. The ecobee sets temp to 84 during the day and back down to 73 at 5pm. Monitored it remotely all day and it only kicked on once or twice before 5.
I started poking around in the basement doing other things and then noticed there's a puddle under my air handler. Immediately I'm thinking clogged condensate line. Got out the shop vac and hit it, felt a big thump through the vacs hose. And then water ran out of it for like 20 seconds. Woof.
So I then look up how to change an air filter (I've never used a furnace before in my 30 years... We always had a boiler). Pull the air filter out and it's soggy wet, not to mention filthy black. So I presume that was my culprit, and there was probably some sort of switch for when the pan underneath fills up to switch off the heat pump.
Now let me ask yall two things. Should I rip apart the panel and clean the condenser (I think that's the piece that probably got dirty?) and two, do I really need to change that filter every 2 months? I hadn't changed it since we moved in. Probably a mistake as I'm sure it sucked in a ton of plaster and saw dust during construction.
Let's hope ive put this to bed with some routine maintenance going forward.
I have a few recommendations for you:
First, do yourself a favor and buy/install an EZ-Trap for your evaporator (the pan below your A coil):
https://www.amazon.com/Rectorseal-83626 ... B00BPAQXRS. It's clear, so you'll be able to see what's going on, and has a clean out brush if there's something stuck in it. Most importantly, it has a float switch that will shut off your AC if that line ever gets clogged, preventing water from dumping out over the coil, your electronics boards, fan, etc. That alone makes it worth its weight in gold.
Secondly, I'd still change your filter at least every 2 months, and probably monthly. I've used the following two types of filters, and can recommend them:
Standard fiberglass:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008LR7WR8
Pleated:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-16-in ... /203225777
Don't believe anyone who says you need one of the thick pleated filters, unless you have severe allergies. All they'll do is make your system work harder, shortening the life span.