The answer to this is no. The AC fan does not run non-stop. It's intended to cycle on and off, depending on the needs of the HVAC unit. That being said, there are some situations where it stops unnecessarily, and that's where you may have an issue.
As long as the thermostat indicates cooling, or cool on, etc, the outside unit should be online. Best would be to see if it has a 24volt run signal from the thermostat if it stops, and the thermostat still shows cooling on.
The short answer: Definitely not. (Unless you have manually engaged your outside fan to run constantly, but it shouldn't be running for hours on it's own.) If your HVAC is functioning correctly, it should keep your house cool by cycling on for 15-20 minutes at a time—with distinct pauses in between each cycle.
The outside unit may not run if it's shut off or the safety switch is engaged. Worn parts, like fan motors or contactors, can prevent the unit from turning on. Debris inside or outside of an AC unit can keep it from running properly. If a bad compressor is to blame, you'll need to install a new cooling system.
The main reasons your AC unit outside is not turning on could be something that has tripped the circuit breaker, something is blocking the fan's airflow, or the condensing unit is damaged. Other potential issues could be the thermostat isn't set correctly or the compressor could be malfunctioning.
When the outside unit breaks down but the inside unit is running, the culprit may well be a broken compressor in the outside unit. That's typically a major repair, something that might even warrant a system replacement.
In AC systems, the air conditioner reset button is on the outside unit's lower edge, typically close to the ground. Some models have the reset button located behind the service panel, which may require tools to remove. Reset buttons are usually red or yellow with a clear “reset” label.
No Sound Coming From The Condenser
Listen if sounds are coming from your outdoor unit. It is a sign that it isn't working as it should if you don't hear any sound. Some air conditioners are designed to be quiet, but you should still hear a low hum.
Look for a RESET Button.
Some systems have a RESET switch on the outside unit. You can push this and see if it helps. If your unit does not, you can turn off the system at the thermostat, wait 5 minutes, and try again.
The system will often complete a full cycle every 15 to 20 minutes, then turn off for up to 10 minutes before turning back on. Following this process, the system should turn on and off about three times every hour. Is your system doing more than that? Perhaps it is doing so less often than you think it should.
In short, common issues that can cause an air conditioning unit fan to stop spinning are electrical issues, problems with the capacitor, contactor issues, a burnt out air conditioner motor, a broken fan belt, or clogged air filter.
Unlike furnaces, air conditioners are often outdoors and exposed to extreme temperatures throughout the year, which shortens their life expectancy. Modern air conditioners can last between 15-20 years, and older air conditioners last around 10-12 years.
There is not a set amount of time designating how often your air conditioning should kick on. They actually will turn on when they are needed, and then they should turn back off until your home reaches an improper temperature.
Lack of Power to the Outdoor Unit
If only the outdoor unit loses power, air may still blow from the vents. Check if a switch was accidentally turned off; if so, simply flip it back on. It's also possible a breaker to the outdoor unit circuit has tripped. Reset it to see if the unit starts running.
The AC cooling process starts when the thermostat senses the air temperature needs to be lowered and sends signals to the central air conditioning system components both inside and outside the home to start running.
Does The AC Fan Outside Always Run? The answer to this is no. The AC fan does not run non-stop. It's intended to cycle on and off, depending on the needs of the HVAC unit.
Make sure the outside unit is turned on (there's probably a switch near the unit). If the outside unit has a separate circuit breaker, check your circuit box and make sure it hasn't been tripped. A more serious issue if the outside air conditioning unit's not working is a broken compressor, capacitor or fan.
A tripped circuit breaker can be a major cause of why an outside AC unit isn't turning on. This occurs when the current is too high in the outdoor unit, causing the breaker in the fuse box or main electrical panel to switch off power to the unit, resulting in it not receiving any electricity.
FIND THE RESET BUTTON
In most cases, the small red reset button is inside the AC's compressor. If unsure, you can always refer to the user's manual to find the exact location.
Shut off your system by hitting the isolation switch, wait 30 to 60 minutes and then turn it back on. This manual reboot fully disconnects your AC unit from power, allowing all electrical components to reset.
A bad thermostat can be detected when your AC or furnace is not turning on, your HVAC systems are not turning off, the thermostat not responding, your HVAC system is short-cycling, the room temperature not matching the temperature displayed on the thermostat, and the programmed setting resetting themselves.
If your AC unit has a reset button on the condenser unit, you simply press it and hope that the problem resolves. Look for it first around on the exterior of your machine, especially along the bottom edge near the ground. An AC's reset button is typically red and visible, so it should be easy to spot.
Insufficient insulation: Without adequate insulation, conditioned air will escape through gaps and cracks in walls and ceilings, leading to temperature fluctuations that create hot spots.