What are the disadvantages of using a smart meter?

Across the country, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the implementation of smart meters. One problem was that some smart meters caught fire. Some believe the problem lies with the faulty home dashboard, rather than the smart meters themselves. Proponents of the device argue that when utility workers remove old meters, they sometimes hit defective parts of the meter base. Since it didn't work properly, it overheated and caused some house fires. It's also important to note that millions of smart meters have been deployed across the United States, and few have caught fire.

Another problem with smart meters is the amount of radiation they cast. Some claim these meters can cause dizziness, memory loss, headaches and even cancer. However, these claims have no scientific basis. Smart meters use the same technology as cell phones and have relatively low radiation levels, but these advanced meters are even less of a radiation threat than cell phones. The Huffington Post reports that even if you're standing three feet away from a smart meter, microwave radiation is 1,100 times less than holding a phone to your ear. Smart meters are typically placed outside the home, on the back or side of a property, where people typically don't hang out. Therefore, the risk of exposure to radiation is lower.