What Could Be Causing the Pulsating Noise in my Air Conditioner?

Looking to find out why your AC is making a funny noise?

Great, you are in the right place.

In this guide, you will learn:

Is a pulsating noise on your air conditioner normal?
What is causing that noise on my AC?
Should I fix that pulsating noise on my AC myself?
…and answers to all your questions about that pulsating noise coming from your air conditioner

Air conditioning is a must-have, so when your central air conditioner is making an odd pulsating noise, you want to know what the heck is going on. Is it coming from the fan, blower, condenser, or ductwork? Does that make a difference in how you handle it?

A pulsating noise could be something small, or it could indicate a serious malfunctioning HVAC system. How do you know, and what can you do about it? Let’s get into the full details of the problem and potential solutions.

What's In This Guide?

Is a Pulsating Noise in My Air Conditioner Normal?

Any loud noise coming from your air conditioner at startup and when it is running — whether it’s pulsating, squealing, clanking, a humming noise, a buzzing noise — can be a cause for alarm.

So when it comes to a pulsating noise specifically, how worried should you be? The answer won’t surprise you. It could be no big deal and a quick fix, or it could be a very big deal.

But is that sound normal? Nope. A pulsating noise is not normal for an air conditioner and should be looked at and fixed sooner rather than later.

If you’re looking for a trusted, industry-leading home warranty company, we recommend American Home Shield. American Home Shield is an industry leader in providing home warranties for HVAC systems, and right now you can take advantage of their current promotions that get you $50 Off and The Service Fee of Your Choice. Get a free online quote or contact a specialist at 866-464-7521 before these deals end.

Your next best option is Choice Home Warranty which offers $50 Off + 1 Free Month and Free 30-Day Cancellation. Get a free quote online or request more information directly at 929-400-6169.

What Could Be Causing the Pulsating Noise in my Air Conditioner?

There are many causes that could explain a pulsating noise in your AC or heat pump – some less serious than others. A loose coil fan or fan blade could need tightening or replacing. A tune-up of these items might fix the problem right away.

Pulsating is often about sound waves coming out of the compressor. If the AC unit is on a plastic pad, this could be the issue. The compressor moves and causes the plastic pad to give off a humming or pulsating sound.

You can rule out the capacitor since that just regulates the flow of electricity to the unit. It’s not likely that an air filter will cause a pulsating noise.

It could be a problem with the installation of the refrigerant line. If the installer did not use sound-dampening insulation, the line could be rubbing against a wall and causing the pulsating sound.

Can I Fix a Pulsating Noise on my Air Conditioner, or Should I Call an HVAC Repair Pro?

You can definitely save some money in the short run by fixing smaller problems yourself. But for bigger issues, it might take a trained HVAC technician to take care of the problem. For instance, with the refrigerant line, you might be able to take care of it yourself, but if getting into walls sounds daunting, you might want to leave it to a pro. The vibration might be causing enough friction to create a refrigerant leak, which is also a matter you should leave to the professionals.

Here’s a look at some common causes and potential fixes to pulsating and other noises in your air conditioning unit.

If you call in an HVAC contractor, take a look at your warranty if it is a newer unit. And if you have a home warranty, make a service call if this is a problem you suspect is a serious malfunction. Warranties have exclusions, but for a serious pulsating noise, you might have coverage to get it taken care of within the warranty period.

Final Thoughts on a Pulsating Noise in Your Air Conditioning

The good news is that a pulsating noise is often a very simple fix, like tightening up a loose coil fan or fan blade or even putting some sound-reducing material between the heat pump or AC unit and the plastic pad it sits on. And even if it is something more serious, it is nothing your HVAC technician has not dealt with before. Keeping your HVAC system clean and well-maintained can go a long way in preventing these kinds of noises from happening in the first place.

Knowledge is power – knowing that pulsating noise is annoying but easily fixable can help you manage the problem and get on to more important things!