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

When Seasons Shift: Dr. Leeshe Grimes on Grief, Loneliness, and Finding Light Again

Published

1 day ago

February 22, 2026

Michelle Langton

Some emotional storms arrive without warning. A sudden change in weather, a holiday approaching, or even a bright sunny day can stir feelings that don’t match the world outside. For many people, the hardest seasons are not defined by temperature; they are defined by what’s happening inside, where grief and loneliness often move quietly.

This is the emotional terrain where Dr. Leeshe Grimes has spent her career doing some of her most meaningful work. As a psychotherapist, registered play therapist, retired U.S. Army combat veteran, and founder of Elevated Minds in the DMV area, she understands how deeply seasonal shifts and unresolved grief can affect people. Her upcoming books explore this very space, guiding readers through the emotional weight that can appear during different times of the year.

What sets Dr. Grimes apart is her ability to see clearly what many people overlook. Seasonal depression, for example, is usually tied to winter months. But she often sees it appear during warm, bright seasons, the times when the world seems happiest. For someone already grieving or feeling disconnected, watching others travel, celebrate, or gather can create its own kind of heaviness. Sunshine doesn’t always lift the mood; sometimes it highlights what feels missing.

The same misunderstanding surrounds grief. Society often treats it as a short-term experience with predictable phases and a clean ending. But in her practice, Dr. Grimes sees how grief keeps evolving. It doesn’t disappear on a timeline. It weaves itself into routines, memories, and milestones. People learn to carry it differently, but they rarely leave it behind completely. And that’s not failure, it’s human.

Her approach to mental health centers on truth rather than pressure. She encourages clients to acknowledge the emotions they try to hide: sadness that lingers longer than expected, moments of joy that feel out of place, and the waves of loneliness that return even when life seems stable. Instead of pushing for quick recovery, she focuses on helping people understand how emotions shift and how to care for themselves through those changes.

Much of her insight comes from her military years, where she witnessed the emotional toll of loss, transition, and constant survival. She saw how people continued functioning while carrying pain that had nowhere to go. That experience shaped her belief that healing requires space, space to feel, to speak, and to move through emotions without judgment.

In her clinical work today at Elevated Minds, she encourages people to build small, steady habits that anchor them during difficult seasons. Journaling helps them recognize patterns and name what feels heavy. Community support breaks the cycle of isolation. Therapy creates a place where emotions don’t have to be minimized or explained away. And intentional routines, daily sunlight, mindful breaks, and calm evenings help rebuild emotional balance.

Her upcoming books expand on these ideas, offering practical guidance for navigating both grief and seasonal depression. She focuses on helping readers understand that healing is not about escaping pain. It’s about learning how to live with it in a healthier way, honoring memories, acknowledging loneliness, and still allowing room for moments of light.

What makes Dr. Leeshe Grimes a compelling voice in mental health is her ability to bring language to experiences that many struggle to explain. She reminds people that emotional seasons don’t always match the weather and that there is no single path through grief. But within those shifts, she believes there is always a way forward.

The seasons will continue to change. And with the right tools, compassion, and support, people can change with them, finding steadiness, softness, and light again, one step at a time.