Lifestyle

What to Do If Your Electrical Devices Make Noise

Published

2 years ago

October 5, 2023

For the most part, electrical devices should operate quietly. You may notice a faint sound if you listen very closely, but it shouldn’t be obnoxious or disruptive.

If your power transformers are making a humming noise, it could be a sign that something is wrong. The same is true if your computer is making a lot more noise than usual, or if you hear a weird buzzing in your house. What should you do if your electrical devices are making noise?

Tracking Down the Source of the Noise

The first thing you should attempt to do is track down the source of the noise. Once you have a better idea of what’s making the noise, you can make a better plan of action for how to address it. You’ll also be able to articulate the problem much better to an electrician, should you need to call one.

Test your appliances. First, consider testing some of your electrical appliances and devices. Closely monitor the noise and operations of things like computers, appliances, TVs, and other electrical devices. If you notice that one of these devices or appliances is making an excessive amount of noise, the problem may be isolated to it. Repairing or replacing the device in question could immediately solve the problem.
Use a stethoscope. If you notice ambient background humming, you might be able to track down the source with a simple stethoscope or similar device. Run the stethoscope along the wall and listen closely; when does the noise get louder? You might hear noise in many areas of your house, or there might be one, obvious culprit. Either way, take note.
Rely on process of elimination. The process of elimination is your best friend here. Access your circuit breaker and turn off all the circuits. Do you still hear the noise? If so, it’s incredibly likely that the source of the noise is not related to an electrical problem. You could have mechanical issues, you could have bees or other pests in your walls, or you might be dealing with a totally different type of issue.
Consider the possibility of a non-electrical noise. Humming and buzzing isn’t always a result of an electricity problem. Remain open to the possibility of non-electrical noise.

The Most Common Causes of Electrical Noise

The most common causes of electrical noise include:

Circuit breakers. Circuit breakers are designed to protect your electrical system from potential damage resulting from short circuits or electrical overload. Noise coming from your circuit breaker is probably a sign of malfunction, and should be addressed right away.
Electric and gas meters. Digital electric and gas meters shouldn’t pose a problem, but older, analog meters may have moving parts that produce noise when not working properly. If this is the case, contact your utility provider to resolve the issue.
Lights and fixtures. Lights and other fixtures are very common sources of electrical noise – especially fluorescent lights and dimmable lights. Replacing older bulbs with LEDs should immediately solve the problem in most cases.
Electrical mains. Your electrical mains are home to an alternative current, and they’re bound to produce some light noise. But if this noise turns into a much louder, more metallic sound, it’s important to call an electrician and address the issue soon.
Outlets and switches. Humming or buzzing coming from an outlet or switch is usually a sign of overloading; it could also be a sign of bad grounding. Calling a pro is the best course of action here.
Transformers. By default, transformers produce a discernible hum or buzz as a sign of normal operations. Transformers process high volumes of electricity, so it’s only natural for them to produce some noise. However, if your transformer makes an excessive amount of noise, it could be a sign that an internal component has become damaged or that the device is not operating properly. As the transformer ages and suffers more wear and tear, the layers in the iron core can begin to separate and amplify vibrations. Problems with fans or windings within the transformer can also cause excessive noise.

Calling an Electrician

Electricity is profoundly dangerous, even for people who somewhat know what they’re doing. If you aren’t able to solve this problem quickly and easily, such as by changing a light bulb or replacing an old laptop, it’s a good idea to call an electrician. A professional will be able to help you diagnose the problem, brainstorm a solution, and execute the necessary work with minimal risk.

Humming and buzzing noises are always annoying, and if they’re loud or intermittent enough, they can seriously disrupt your quality of life. But with some proactive effort and a bit of detective work, you can track down the source of the noise and address it once and for all.

Lifestyle

Kat Marie Alvarez: Where Innovation Meets Regulation

Published

14 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Michelle Langton

Regulation is often thought of as a limitation, yet in healthcare, it also serves as a foundation for building models that endure. For Kat Marie Alvarez, Founder and CEO of KATALYST & CO, the framework of rules established by agencies like CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid) and the OIG ( office of the Inspector General) create opportunities to design systems that are compliant, ethical, and transformative. Her approach demonstrates that regulation can be a platform for innovation when it is interpreted with both technical rigor and vision.

Kat’s 25-year career reflects this philosophy. A former nurse who advanced into executive leadership and strategy, she has led $2.7B+ P&L operations, advised on over $5B in healthcare transactions, and guided value based organizations including Innovacare, Cano Health, WellMed, Centene, and Humana through periods of exponential scaling. Her perspective combines clinical, financial, and regulatory experience, giving her a unique ability to design structures that support integrity and accountability while driving measurable outcomes.

Turning Statutes into Strategy

For Kat, regulation serves as a framework for building smarter and more ethical models. She interprets CMS guidance and OIG rules as levers for innovation, using them to advance integrity and accountability. With the CMS V28 risk adjustment model, Alvarez refined coding practices, strengthened clinical documentation, and structured risk frameworks that reward accuracy and elevate standards of care. In addressing RADV audits, she crafted strategies that protect stakeholders while keeping patient outcomes at the forefront. She aligns compliance, cost, and care in equal measure. Her current work as a contributor to the CMS IDea Challenge, an initiative focused on strengthening the foundation of trust in our system, further echoes her commitment to advancing regulations in ways that unlock innovation while safeguarding the integrity of care.

Her interpretive approach brings discipline and vision to every challenge. She engages stakeholders to redesign workflows that meet regulatory requirements and enhance the patient experience. Each policy becomes a mechanism to strengthen accountability and operational precision, shaping a system that is both compliant and humane.

Innovation Built Within Boundaries

At KATALYST & CO, this interpretive approach is carried into every project. Kat has integrated predictive analytics and AI-driven tools into care models, with safeguards that ensure interventions remain clinician-led and ethically sound. For example, AI flags in chronic disease management are connected to human-led actions that improve patient care. The result is a model that benefits from technology while preserving accountability and clinical integrity.

Staffing and infrastructure provide another example of her philosophy in action. By leveraging offshore BPO operations in Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe, KATALYST & CO extends capacity for health plans and providers. These expansions are carefully designed to meet data security, licensure, and jurisdictional requirements, ensuring that global reach is paired with local compliance. It is a system that balances scale with responsibility.

The Art of Influence Through Alignment

Kat often describes her role as translating complexity into clarity. Whether she is working with payers, providers, or investors, she builds consensus by grounding ambitious strategies in the language of statute. Value-based care models, utilization management programs, and clinical frameworks are designed to prove compliant ROI for stakeholders while maintaining patient focus.

Her approach begins with people. In integrations, partnerships, and platform builds, she respects legacy strengths, listens to frontline voices, and creates systems that are not only efficient but also trusted. This ensures that compliance does not feel like restriction, but like a structure that supports innovation and adoption.

Redefining the Future of Compliance and Care

KATALYST & CO is scaling with $10M in initial funding, expanded international operations, and a growing advisory portfolio. Under Kat’s leadership, the firm is showing how regulation can be a foundation for both innovation and durability. She demonstrates that lasting progress in healthcare is achieved by leaders who know how to design systems that are bold, ethical, and deeply human.

By approaching regulation as a guide rather than a limitation, Kat Alvarez is building models that prove compliance and innovation can move forward together. Her formula ensures that the future of healthcare is shaped not only by ambition, but also by trust and responsibility.