There are usually three most common scenarios when someone would consider measuring EMF levels in residential areas. There are also mandatory commercial EMF tests required by the law in a workplace in certain industries, in this article, we will focus on residential EMF testing only. The most common reason our customers contact us is to carry out an EMF survey on a property or land they are looking to purchase and is located near a strong electromagnetic source such as power pylons, substations, or phone masts. On the flip side, there are also anxious property owners that simply need to reassure potential buyers that the property is safe from EMF. Another frequent situation is when someone starts to feel unwell and they suspect the cause of their health problems is rooted in high EMF presence in their home.
Whatever the reasons, there are two most common ways of taking EMF readings. You can either purchase a relatively low-cost reader on the internet or seek professional advice and an in-depth EMF risk assessment.
In this article, we will compare the cons and the pros of the two options and hopefully make it an easier process for you, should you ever need to measure EMF levels in your current or future home.
Low-Cost EMF Reader
There is a wide range of different devices ranging anywhere from £20 up to around £300 mark. In this case, it really is what you pay for. Generally speaking, the lower the price less reliable and less accurate the results will be. It is also important to know what type of EMF are you looking to measure, as you need to choose a reader with the right capabilities. A lot of readers out there will claim to be able to measure both (or ALL) types of EMF. This is simply not achievable as even professional equipment worth thousands of pounds is not capable of measuring both low frequency and radiofrequency at once accurately.
The low-cost reader will show some readings and will often show flashing red lights or even start making sound effects, all this is a distraction from the fact that the reader is simply struggling to convert the EMF signal into accurate and sensible data. Research shows that low-cost EMF readers can be up to 400% inaccurate. Another challenge is understanding the readings and the ability to make sense of the numbers in terms of any risks presented by the EMF. It can be sometimes confusing if the reader starts flashing red as we often don't know what EMF safety standard has been used to compare the results against. And given the fact that these readers are not designed for accuracy and are not properly calibrated, it would be unwise to make any kind of safety decisions based on the readings themselves.
You also need to spend a significant amount of time researching before buying a reader, as you need to know what type of EMF you are looking to measure and what reader is the best fit.
However, low-cost readers still have their use, they can be particularly helpful for individuals suffering from EHS (electromagnetic hypersensitivity). As people with increased sensitivity to EMF can feel uncomfortable when exposed to even normally unharmful levels of EMF. The reader will be able to detect the presence of EMF and will also be able to indicate if the EMF is stronger or weaker. This can be very valuable to someone that is looking to find areas with minimal EMF exposure, whether it be in their homes or public areas.
Pros:
Relatively low cost.
One-off purchase
Ability to take readings wherever you go.
Good use for EHS sufferers.
Cons:
Up to 400% inaccurate.
Not professionally calibrated.
Not suitable for EMF risk assessment.
Can be confusing.
Time-consuming – research before the purchase, learning to understand the results.
It can be more expensive than professional EMF testing.
Professional EMF Testing
Similar to personal EMF readers, there is a variety of different EMF testing services available. The cost will largely depend on what type of EMF testing service you require and how quickly it needs to be done. Prices usually range from around £150 upwards, but there is no reason to spend more than £400, please note that these prices are reflecting residential property EMF testing services and not commercial EMF testing. There are a few different EMF testing providers in the UK. You can find smaller independent companies that specialise only in residential EMF testing, energy provider companies, or large enterprises that offer EMF testing as a bolt-on or additional service.
The experience and cost will differ dramatically, depending on which type of company you choose to carry out your EMF survey. Let's take a closer look at those three types of EMF testing providers.
Independent EMF Specialist Company
Independent EMF testing providers will usually all have slightly different packages and services they offer. Generally speaking, they should offer high flexibility, fast and responsive customer service, low costs, really detailed reports and some even include an EMF consultation as part of their offering. Smaller providers usually specialise in EMF testing and will ensure that the quality of the service is to the highest standard. They will also make sure the EMF consultants will take their time explaining everything to their customers and answer any questions, leaving them with a really good understanding of the EMF impacts on our bodies and EMF levels in their home.
Energy providers or UK Power Networks (UKPN)
The big plus when ordering an EMF survey with your energy provider or the electrical equipment owner is that they provide this free of charge. The only issue is that as a result of the service being free, it normally takes several weeks before the company manages to send anyone down to take the readings. This can be an issue, especially if you are about to exchange contracts on the property you are looking to buy, time is of the essence. The level of detail in their reports is very low, compared to a specialist EMF testing provider. Often the customer is not even presented with the report and is simply informed that "everything is fine". This also suggests a clear conflict of interest on the energy provider's side.
Large Enterprise
And finally the large enterprises. Those companies offer an enormous portfolio of services.
Their focus is on high-value large-scale projects such as the construction industry or commercial health and safety services. These contracts are worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and in some cases millions. EMF testing is part of their offering, however, their pricing is designed for large companies and commercial contracts. Which makes their services really expensive to an average person looking to check EMF levels in their residential home.
Below is a summary of the cons and pros of specialist EMF testing services.
Cons:
One-time readings.
Could be hard to choose the right provider.
Pros:
Low cost.
Flexibility.
Professional advice and guidance.
Consultation.
Resource of verified information.
In a nutshell, everyone's situation and circumstances are different and it is important to recognise that in order to choose the right type of EMF testing provider and type of service that best matches your requirements. Hopefully, this guide will make the choice a little bit easier.
