What is a common cause of an air conditioner running continuously?

An air conditioner running continuously can often be attributed to an incorrectly set thermostat or a malfunctioning component. When a thermostat is not set correctly, it may not accurately read the indoor temperature or may be set to a very low temperature, prompting the system to run longer than necessary. Additionally, if there is a malfunctioning component—such as a faulty relay or contactor—the system may not turn off as intended, leading to continuous operation.

While factors like low refrigerant levels, dirty condenser coils, and blocked air ducts can contribute to overall efficiency issues or improper cooling, they do not specifically directly cause the system to run continuously. Low refrigerant can lead to poor cooling performance and potential system damage, while dirty coils or blocked ducts generally cause increased run times but are part of a different set of symptoms rather than the root cause of continuous operation. Therefore, identifying thermostat settings or malfunctioning components is key to diagnosing and remedying the issue of an air conditioner running continuously.