What could be a possible cause for an air conditioner compressor to run continuously?

A compressor running continuously can often indicate an issue with the air conditioning system that prevents it from cycling on and off as it should. Low refrigerant levels are a common cause of this problem. Refrigerant is essential for transferring heat; if the levels are low, the system cannot effectively remove heat, causing the compressor to work harder and run non-stop in an attempt to reach the desired temperature set by the thermostat. In such a scenario, even if the compressor is running continually, the air conditioning system may struggle to cool the space adequately.

In comparison, while a defective thermostat can lead to issues with temperature regulation, it typically wouldn't cause the compressor to run continuously unless the thermostat fails to signal the compressor to shut off at the appropriate temperature. A dirty air filter could restrict airflow and potentially cause the system to overheat and shut down, but it is less likely to make the compressor continuously run without interruptions. Faulty electrical connections can lead to erratic behavior, but they would more likely result in the compressor cutting off unexpectedly rather than running non-stop. Therefore, low refrigerant levels directly correlate with the compressor's continuous operation due to its inability to complete the cooling cycle effectively.