Posted by
ESther on
URL: https://www.es-forum.com/Need-Help-with-Neighbor-s-Smart-Meter-tp4037027.html
I became ES symptomatic in 2011 when the next door neighbor got a smart meter. She moved out a couple of years later to another home she had but kept this one which has stayed empty for over 10 years. I just put foil over the her meter which was situated in a recess in the outer wall with a door. Our houses are eight feet apart.
However, last year she embarked on a complete renovation on the house, adding an extension to it. It took a year, and now she's moved in. The house now has a heat pump, which is now mandated by CA law for new construction, and all new appliances. A new electric box has been added to the outside of the wall with additional huge wires going to the utility power line. (Wish I could post a picture to describe this better.)
I talked to the owner again about getting an analog meter. She said she would if it were allowed, but she didn't know if it were possible because of the heat pump, and what the regulations might be. She said she would ask her construction manager because the electric inspectors were requiring the electrical setup be changed. On Tuesday, I saw that the smart meter (a new one?) had been moved to the outside box, and is in the open, about seven feet from my kitchen.
I need to talk with her again, but need some information.
PG&E has a SM opt-out provision, but I suspect they'd have told the contractor a SM is required, even if it isn't. (I don't trust PG&E; they lied to me in 2012 saying SM's were mandated by law, but they wouldn't give me specifics. At that time they were sneaking meters onto people's house. I locked up my analog meter with a chain, and still have it.)
My questions are:
1. Does anyone know if for some reason a heat pump needs a smart meter to report usage? I looked online but couldn't find any info. I don't know how they work, i.e. if they can send energy back to the grid like solar panels do for instance (don't think so), or if they use such high voltage they need a SM to measure it. (Obviously I have no idea what I'm talking about here... that's why I'm asking.)
2. I'm thinking if she's been told she has to have a SM, and can't have an analog one, I might be able to convince her to let me put shielding over it, such as the Smart Meter Guard or anything else you could recommend that would stay on it outdoors. Any ideas what might work? Shielding it might at least help me a bit.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OVJCPS6/?coliid=I1N87P2J3A4GHW&colid=28AYDPZSCGU9K&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_itAll suggestions, ideas, and/or explanations would be most appreciated!