A smart meter sends out radio signals in short bursts, not all the time. It works like this: the meter records how much electricity you use, then sends that data to the utility in quick bursts that last a few seconds each. The number of bursts per day depends on the utility and its network, but the meter is quiet most of the time. This on-and-off pattern matters because it brings the average radio energy down a lot.
Published measurements taken near smart meters show that the average level comes to a small fraction of the limit set by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC limit is based on what a person could be exposed to continuously. Since the meter only transmits in bursts, the energy averages out to a much lower number. The exact level depends on the meter model and how often it talks, but the pattern is the same across the board.
Distance is the other big factor. Radio energy drops quickly as you move away from the meter. A few feet of separation reduces the level a great deal. A wall between you and the meter cuts it more. By the time you are ten or fifteen feet away, the level is far below what it is right at the meter face. This is simple physics. The signal spreads out and weakens.
Some people worry about the cumulative effect of many meters in a neighborhood. But each meter sends its own short bursts, and the bursts from different meters rarely overlap. The overall radio environment in a neighborhood with smart meters is still well within FCC limits. The FCC sets its limits with a large safety margin built in, so even the sum of all sources is far below what would be a concern.
If you want to know the exact numbers for your meter, the FCC has public documents that list the maximum output power for each certified meter model. Your utility can tell you the model number. Then you can look up the certification documents on the FCC website. Those documents show the maximum possible output, but remember that the meter only hits that peak during a burst, and only for a fraction of a second.
If you have health questions about radio energy, talk to your doctor. If you want to know the specific fees for opting out of a smart meter radio levels meter, read your utility’s tariff. If you want the technical limits and test results, the FCC database is the place to look. The public record has the information, and it is straightforward once you know where to find it.
There is a fuller write-up at smart meter radio levels.