About a year ago the news that Upper Saddle River, Mahwah and surrounding areas had smart meters arriving and on their way and it was only a matter of time before they were in every neighborhood, installed and running. Concerned residents had the option to opt out and pay the $15 monthly inconvenience fee (aka fine) that Rockland Electric Company added to each bill, or just accept the smart meter. A casual observation of the shiny, new ‘Smart Meter’ truck coming down the street reveals that only a few households have declined the new technology with the vast majority accepting the change.
However, there is still concern and anxiety about the safety of the meters. Online information offers a range of facts, opinions and advice. Confusing to many, especially senior citizens and those who have health issues requiring electrical equipment. Truthful advice and guidance is hard to find, who do you really believe and trust. Those stuck in the middle with no choice at all are renters or owners of condominiums where the meters are place on the exterior of the building, sometime banks of them and they have no control over what is surrounding them. One meter is bad enough, but a bank of several really is a cause of concern. Over this year a few residents have shared their confusion and sought advice and solutions. Despite the reassurances from the electric company that they are safe – and really, would they tell you if they weren’t – questions and fears remain. If you don’t know what the dangers are there is considerable information available online about risks, concerns, etc. Previous articles here also cover some of the issues.
A bit of research and some discussions with knowledgeable people has resulted in a possible solution that won’t be a complete fix but will help with a reduction in RF which is the scary stuff at the center of the fears.
RF – radio waves – are emitted from smart meters, microwaves, cellphones. These waves are invisible and many believe completely safe. However, there is considerable evidence to the contrary. You can find information online, and make your own decision. If you want to err on the side of caution you can put down your phone, use a headset (not Bluetooth) or speaker, you can stand well away from your microwave, or not use it too much, but if your bedroom is just on the other side of the smart meter wall you might be limited. So what to do?
Time for some science hacking.
Kitchen foil. Yes, the stuff you make your baby back ribs in.
It seem that regular everyday kitchen foil has a blocking effect on RF waves.
Do you need proof?
Science experiment time: take 2 pieces of aluminum foil and wrap your phone in it. Doesn’t have to be a huge amount but just wrap it up.
Dial your phone.
No ringing. (if you do hear ringing you either used super cheap foil or didn’t wrap it well enough)
So, foil blocks the RF! Who knew?
Along those lines there are RF cages and other devices that you can place around smart meters to limit the output. BUT that isn’t possible for renters or condo dwellers.
So what to do?
Before a solution a little understanding about RF waves coming from a smart meter.
The smart meter is in a box that has a back plate that stops the signal from going backwards.
The back plate is 16″ gauge steel.
And this results in a measurable reduction in the RF waves, but –
they are not completely gone.
The signals leave the smart meter in an arc – not just going straight forward. So while there is some protection from it going backwards it still can travel around.
One way to limit some of the RF is using aluminum foil. Placing it on an interior wall opposite where the smart meter is will limit some of the RF.
Limit and reduce, but not stop. Important point.
How to do this?
The inside wall approximately 3 feet around where the smart meter is can be covered with foil. That is at least 3 feet out in each direction and up and down. It won’t look beautiful at all, but there is a solution for that – see below.
The best way to proceed is to get a large roll or two of heavy duty aluminium foil – it is thicker and wider. The kind you use for Thanksgiving turkey. Find where the smart meter is on the outside wall and exactly where it corresponds inside and cover the area with foil. Remember – 3 feet in each direction. A second layer is also a possible as it will add another layer of protection. To get the foil to adhere to the wall some removable poster tape will work – Scotch tape makes several products that will work. And stick the foil on the wall.
Simple.
Effective.
Not a complete cure, but will help
But ugly.
So now what?
Ugly walls have plagued renters for years and dealing with landlords can be a nightmare. However, several decor blogs have come up with numerous ways to disguise ugly and make beautiful the wall of rental units.
One solution is a room screen, or wall divider. Something free standing that will hide the area. Useful, however, they can be costly.
You can hang a tall curtain – but that means holes in the wall or ceiling, which may be a problem.
However, there is another solution, that might be cheaper, and will work. And is temporary and creates no damage.
With foam core, wood plank or foam insulation and a roll of wallpaper a simple visual trick will hide the foil and possibly give you a statement piece that can be placed against the wall. Something easy to hide an eyesore, and brighten up your space. Head over here to find out how to do this.
None of this is perfect but if you are a renter or condo dweller you have some limitations on what you can do. If RF from smart meters is cause for concern this is definitely one relatively easy solution and worth doing for peace of mind.