Do You Have a Smart Meter and Why Should you Care?
FIRST question – what is a smart meter?
The term smart meter often refers to an electricity meter, but it also may mean a device measuring natural gas, water, or district heating consumption (according to Wikipedia)
The SMART stands for “Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications “.
Reported Benefits of a Smart Meter
- You don’t need a technician to read your meter
- Gives insight into your energy use
- Helps the planet
- Possibly saves money
So, what’s the catch?
There are some risks.
- FIRE HAZARD
- HEALTH RISKS
- INCREASED COST
Fire Hazard
Though the information hasn’t been at the forefront of major news channels, the risks of smart meter-related fires are real, and there are plenty of reports about it. The fires are reported to industry regulatory commissions, and fire departments and insurance companies know about them. In fact, Nina Beaty affirms this in her report. OVERVIEW: Fire and Electrical Hazards from ‘Smart’, Wireless, PLC, and Digital Utility Meters.
She also reports that the risks of fire are not disclosed to the public. Furthermore, industry regulators and utility companies publicly deny the fact of these fires.
“Utility companies have launched major rollouts of electronic digital meters across the United States and globally for electric, natural gas and water service. Due to meter design and function, these digital meters can malfunction in several ways.
Meters have exploded and have caused fires, and they have likely contributed to the severity of other fires.” 1
Regrettably, there are reports of people and pets losing their lives to fires caused by the SMART meter technology.
Pat Wrigley, a former PG&E Meter Reader, testified, “Smart meters cause fires.” in a California Public Utilities Commission Hearing.
In 2017, Fire Chief Duane Roddy testified to the Michigan House Energy Committee that he witnessed a surge that caused an ignition and arc at his home. The electricity continued to flow and melted the lines to his house.
The Difference Between Smart and Analog
Without going into all the technicalities, a main contributing factor to fires is that smart meter technology does not have surge protection, which means a surge in electricity can flow in a direction (such as an appliance) and cause a fire. Reversely, analog meters have surge protection and grounding – even when lightning strikes. Electrical engineers developed a relatively safe product after decades of working with analog meters.
Liability
The Power company is not liable for the fires caused by the smart meters that they use and install.
Why have we not heard about this?
I don’t care what the benefits are; you had me on fire.
Unfortunately, most of the electricity customers don’t hear about these fires. What’s more, few would even fully understand that the technology of their meter has changed significantly over the years. And those changes impact safety standards.
Since the regulators and electric companies are not going to tell the public about the risks, it is up to us to get educated and keep ourselves safe.
So, I encourage you to do your own research. And talk to your neighbors about smart meters in the neighborhood. One fire puts the whole neighborhood at risk.
Health Risks
Another huge concern is the HEALTH RISKS.
Smart meters can be a source of “dirty” electricity on your home’s electrical and metal plumbing systems. This dirty electricity has the characteristic of radio frequency.
In other words, smart meters emit radio-frequency radiation (RFR).
RFR interacts with biological tissues, so it is characterized as producing “active electromagnetic exposure.”
The interaction can cause effects on the body, such as thermal heating, oxidative stress, and cellular and DNA damage.
Perhaps most alarming is the fact that according to research, RFR penetrates more deeply and more quickly into the bodies and brains of children. The highest amount of RFR penetrating children’s bodies was from smart meters.
The American Academy of Pediatrics considers that children are more vulnerable to RFR in general – no matter the source. 2
Increased Cost
Smart meters have been said to be INACCURATE, UNRELIABLE, AND COST MORE
So, do Smart Meters lower electric bills? If so, where is the proof? (not claims) Why did the Michigan House Energy Committee hold a meeting in 2018 in response to hundreds of complaints about higher electric bills with the introduction of smart meters?
In that meeting, Bill Barthgate, an electrical engineer testified that the smart meter was “was wildly inaccurate” – and that the traditional analog meter is accurate. 3
An analog meter might save you money.
No So Smart
Maybe SMART meters aren’t so smart after all.
Ok, so what do you do about this?
You can call your electric company and request to opt out of Smart meters and ask them to replace your smart with an analog meter.
You can email Georgia Power at g2smartmtr@southernco.com
Just ask to opt out and give your address and account number.
There will be an additional $20 charge for someone to come to your house to read the meter every month, but it will be worth it for the peace of mind.
References:
- Nina Beety, July 2019 Report on Fire and Electrical Hazards of “Smart” and Other Digital Meters https://smartmeterharm.org/2021/06/03/report-on-fire-and-electrical-hazards-of-smart-and-other-digital-meters-part-1/
- What are Smart Meters? Environmental Health Trust, https://ehtrust.org/educate-yourself/health-risks-posed-by-smartmeters/
- Bathgate Testimony Before House Energy Committee Feb 16, 2018 Michigan Stop Smart Meters Youtube
