If you are searching for a new home or want to do a simple EMF test of your own home, I recommend the Basic Home Search EMF Test Kit. The great thing about this test kit is that it is easy to use and gives you quick and accurate results for the primary fields.
This basic meter package will allow you to look at dozens of homes before bringing in an EMF consultant. This will ultimately save you money. You will be able to determine if there is a magnetic field from the local power grid or a cell tower that is too close. You can also see if there is a dirty electricity problem that can’t be fixed. If none of these issues exist, then the other types of fields can typically be fix later with the help of an experienced EMF consultant.
What Your EMF Test Kit Measures
Here are the types of electromagnetic fields your meter kit will accurately measure:
- RF from nearby Cell Towers, Wi-Fi and Smart Meters: Safe and Sound Classic III
- Magnetic Fields from Power Lines or Wiring Errors: TriField TF2 3-Axis Gauss Meter
- EMI/Dirty Power from Solar and other electrical issues: Retekess AM Radio
You can find this basic test kit here with a 10% discount for $359.
Electromagnetic Field Levels
The following are the types of readings that you want to see when you test a home:
- RF: Ideally in the Green or Yellow (100 µW/m2 and below)
- Magnetic Fields: Below 0.2 mG (Standard Magnetic)
- EMI: Very little noise / static with the AM radio
In my EMF Meter Guide I outline the differences in fields that you want to see for a healthy family versus someone that has a chronic health condition. The above levels are healthy for most people.
How to Use Your Basic Home Search Kit
You can determine if there are any major deal breakers very quickly with your meter kit. Just open the case and turn on the Classic II and TF2. Have the sound component on with the green RF meter so that you can hear the types of sources. With the TriField TF2, turn it to the first dial, which is Standard Magnetic.
Safe and Sound Classic III
Hopefully the Classic III is reading in the Green or Yellow. This means there is not a cell tower nearby. If it is in the Orange or Red, check to see if there are wireless transmitters close to you, like a Wi-Fi router or smart devices/phones and turn them off. You can learn the various RF sounds here.
If you do measure significant RF from a nearby cell tower, you can use a bed canopy or shielding paint for the bedrooms. Most homes today will have some RF exposures. However, the important thing is that you can bring the levels to below 10 µW/m2 while you sleep. Some sensitive people will need levels lower than that.
TriField TF2
The TF2 is really only accurate for magnetic fields, so that is what you will be using it for. When testing a home, hold the meter still so the readings are not affected by the Earth’s DC field. I also recommend that you turn on all light switches and ceiling fans because this will help you identify wiring errors.
If the TF2 is reading more than 0.2 mG, go test other parts of home to see if the readings change. When the magnetic field is consistently high throughout the home, this is because there is a problem with the local power grid. The readings are likely highest at the street and then drop off as you walk away. This is something you can’t change and means that you should avoid this home if the readings are unusually high.
If there is only a localized field in one section of the home, this signifies a wiring error or stray current on a water pipe. This can almost always be fixed by an electrician or plumber once the circuits and location have been identified. This is typically an easy process and takes a few hours with the right assistance.
The Standard Magnetic setting measures the 60 Hz magnetic field from electricity. This is the most important field as it is by far the most powerful type of field in the home. The Weighted setting adds some of the higher frequency magnetic fields. There is some value to this setting. However, I recommend using the AM radio to measure the higher frequency fields.
AM Radio Test
Your AM radio tests whether there are sources of dirty power radiating throughout a home. You will test at the ends of the AM dial (500 KHz and 1.7 MHz). There are typically no stations at these frequencies, so there should just be a light white noise.
As you bring the radio close to a computer or smartphone, you will notice the static goes up dramatically. This is because of the circuitry and is normal. All electronics create interference right next to the device. However, what you don’t want is that type of sound to be permeating the entire home because that signifies a major EMI problem that might not be fixable.
When you do hear a lot of noise on the AM radio, go to the circuit panel and turn off all the circuits. If the noise is still there this is because the source is outside of the home on the local electrical grid. Unfortunately, this can’t typically be solved and means you should pass on this home.
However, if the noise disappears that means the dirty power source is inside the home. You will then turn each circuit on and off to see where the problem is located, like a detective job. It could be a certain type of lighting, appliance or an issue with how the circuit is wired. This can typically be fixed and the EMI can be eliminated in the home without the need for expensive filtering that may not even work.
The following videos demonstrate how to use your AM radio:
In this video I show a situation that you want to avoid or fix:
In this video I demonstrate how you can use your AM radio to identify a source of EMI:
This video shows how one simple charging device can fill your home with EMI pollution:
Conclusion
Hopefully this article will help you with the basic home search EMF testing process. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions as you begin to test homes. Many of my clients send pictures and videos of their measurements to confirm whether a home they are testing is healthy. You can learn more about my email and Zoom EMF consulting services on this page.
Thank you,
Jeromy
Disclosure: EMF Analysis is partly supported by a small commission for purchases made through product links on this page. This income enables me to continue to research and write about this important topic. Thank you for supporting my work.
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