Buzzing Transformer Ruining this Condominium Unit

J.J. from Fairfield County writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

For over two months now there has been a humming/vibration coming from the utility and transformer rooms that borders my condo. CL&P has sent transformer techs twice and said they were working fine. The hot water heater techs came and said their system is fine. In the past two weeks, two CL&P meter techs have suggested that possibly it is the transformers after all. CL&P refuses to send transformer tech guys again to confirm. The management company says their hands are tied so I should call the CL&P emergency line whenever the sound wakes me. This sound is inconsistent in strength, vibration, volume and time. Whenever someone comes to observe, the buzzing is usually at its quietest and least disturbing. I understand that we are waiting for CL&P but in the meantime can’t the management company call some outside expert to study this issue? Can they really be this passive? This sound is so bad my husband sleeps elsewhere and I am considering moving out as well.

Mister Condo replies:

J.J., I am sorry for your problems. It certainly sounds like a transformer problem to me as well. Of course, like you, I am no expert in the matter so no one is going to take action on what we think. You definitely need an expert to assist with your problem and I have a few ideas for you. Your reasonable and polite actions are admirable but they just aren’t getting results. That means it’s time for more aggressive action. Step one is to consult with an attorney to describe your situation. You are likely going to be advised to bring action (lawsuit) against CL&P and your association even though I really don’t think this problem is your association’s doing. Once served, CL&P is likely to give your problem the attention it deserves. Talk to your attorney about what reasonable costs you can include in your suit (attorney’s fees, physical and emotional illness from sleep deprivation, cost of living elsewhere until this problem is fixed for you and your husband, etc.) Don’t hold back. The time for polite conversation has passed and the problem was not fixed.

As a side note, once this problem is resolved, I might consider selling my unit and moving. Your unit will always border the utility and transformer room which gives me cause to wonder if there may not be future problems. Transformers have a useful life cycle and then they buzz and act up and can even pose physical danger in the form of fires or explosions. I don’t want to sound alarmist but I wouldn’t personally want to subject myself to their proximity if I didn’t have to.  Best wishes!