The smartphone, fitness watch, or bicycle light is charged – and we often just leave the charger plugged into the socket. We investigated whether this is a good idea and what our convenience might cost us. Mobile phones, tablets, power banks, and bicycle lights: many devices need to be charged regularly – it sometimes feels like all the time. It is natural that you are just too lazy to unplug your devices. You want enough charge for your time at https://www.cookiecasino.com/en-CA/promotions. But this action is not always a good idea. Find out here why.
Therefore, out of convenience or forgetfulness, we tend to leave the charging cable in the socket after charging. We’ll need it again tonight anyway! This way, we don’t have to search for the charger constantly. But is this really a good idea in times when we want to save as much energy as possible due to the climate crisis and high electricity bills? Does the charger draw power even when no device is connected? You can find many opinions on that on the internet. But we will give you a simple overview. You might be surprised that it is also for your safety and the safety of your home.
Leaving the Charger in the Socket: Two Reasons Why It’s Not a Good Idea
The answer is quite clear: Yes. If the charger is plugged in, it continues to draw power – even when no device is connected. A small circuit is created inside the charger or power supply, and power is consumed. However, the power consumption of plugged-in chargers can vary, notes Martin Brandis, energy consulting expert at the consumer center.
According to the EU Ecodesign Regulation 2019/1782, chargers that have been put on the market since April 1, 2020, must not take more than 0.10 watts without load. “A power supply that adheres to this limit consumes 0.876 kilowatt-hours of electricity over a year of continuous null load, resulting in electricity costs of under 50 cents,” calculates Martin Brandis.
However, this rule only applies to new power supplies from the EU. Older power supplies, transformers, or chargers, as well as devices from non-EU countries, can lead to significantly higher losses. A helpful rule of thumb: If a power supply feels warm in your hand, it means that power is flowing. These devices should definitely be unplugged or replaced.
Unplugging the Charger: Every Little Bit Counts
If you have a new device, you might think: it’s just peanuts. But the seemingly small number becomes significant when you consider that there is usually a whole bunch of charging cables and power supplies plugged into our sockets at home.
“If all smartphone users unplugged their chargers after charging, we could save up to 82,450 tons of CO2 annually in Germany alone,” calculates the energy company Vattenfall. This issue doesn’t only affect chargers but also all devices with power supplies that consume power in standby mode and incur costs. Always unplug the charging cable as soon as no device is connected, or use a power strip with a switch.
Unplugging the Charger = Fire Safety
Power consumption is one reason to always remove chargers from the socket. A second reason is the fire hazard. High-quality devices are designed not to overheat when not in use. However, the plugs from budget providers and defective devices remain dangerous. The news is full of such accidents. So really be careful. Also advise your friends and family to reduce the risk of such fire by simply unplugging their electronic devices.
