Smart meters are designed to automate electricity, gas, and water monitoring.
Their primary purpose is operational efficiency: they remotely record usage, eliminate manual meter reading, enable time-of-use pricing, allow remote connection and disconnection, and feed large volumes of data back to utilities to manage load, billing, and network planning.
From a systems perspective, smart meters are about control, automation, and data flow, not about improving household health, resilience, or wellbeing.
Health concerns centre on continuous electromagnetic emissions and loss of choice.
Smart meters typically communicate wirelessly, emitting low-level radiofrequency (RF) radiation intermittently throughout the day and night.
While each transmission is usually within regulatory limits, critics argue that chronic, involuntary exposure, combined with proximity to living spaces and cumulative exposure from multiple devices, has not been adequately studied over long timeframes particularly for children, the elderly, and people with electro-sensitivity.
Beyond EMF, there are concerns about sleep disruption, stress from constant connectivity, privacy, data profiling, and the removal of informed consent when analogue alternatives are withdrawn.
For many people, the issue is not just EMF, it is the loss of choice over what infrastructure is installed in their home.
Smart meters aren’t compulsory everywhere choice still exists, but most people aren’t told that.
If you don’t want one (EMF exposure, privacy, data use), the key is clear, written refusal and withholding consent. Utilities rely on silence and default compliance.
No consent = no automatic right of entry.
Access to your property is a choice, not a given.
Ask questions. Put it in writing.
Choice is still king, if you use it.
Notice of Non-Consent to Smart Meter Installation
(Template email/letter)
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to formally notify you that I do not consent to the installation of a smart meter at my property.
This decision is based on concerns relating to electromagnetic exposure, data privacy, remote monitoring, and the right to informed choice regarding infrastructure installed on or affecting my home.
Please note the following:
-
I do not grant consent for entry onto my property for the purpose of smart meter installation.
-
Any access requires my prior written permission.
-
Absence of consent should not be interpreted as consent.
-
I request that my account be clearly marked as “no smart meter – customer declined.”
If there is an opt-out process, alternative metering arrangement, or analogue/non-communicating option available, please provide this information to me in writing.
This notice is given in good faith and for the purpose of maintaining clear records of my position. I expect my choice to be respected and that no adverse action will be taken as a result of this decision.
Please confirm receipt of this notice and update your records accordingly.
Kind regards,
NAME, Property Address, Date
End.
© 2026 Bronwyn Holm. All Rights Reserved.
Earthfood™ and associated trademarks are protected.
All trademarks, content, and intellectual property are protected under Australian and international law. No reproduction, redistribution, or use without prior written permission.