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Why you should never leave your phone charger plugged in without your phone plugged in.
In today’s tech-centric world, a plugged-in phone charger has become a common sight in homes, often even when a device isn’t actively charging. This common practice raises questions about energy consumption, safety, and the impact on your electricity bill. There are a few reasons why leaving your charger plugged in without your phone isn’t as harmless as it seems.
The power of a phone charger
Chargers consume power even when a device isn’t actively charging. A test using an original Apple phone charger found it consumed approximately 130W of power per month, equivalent to 1.5kWh per year. While this may seem negligible at first glance, the cumulative effect becomes significant when multiple chargers are considered.1 It’s important to consider the number of chargers in use and their individual power consumption. Larger chargers tend to consume more power, and non-original chargers can consume significantly more, up to 10 to 20 times more, depending on the test. Furthermore, the environmental impact of millions of chargers running continuously cannot be ignored, as they contribute to higher kilowatt-hour and CO2 emissions.
Fire Hazard: A Real Concern
A plugged-in phone charger poses a potential fire hazard. Overheated chargers, especially when buried under objects such as clothing or books, can lead to elevated temperatures and pose a fire hazard. This danger is further aggravated by low-quality, unbranded chargers that may not meet safety standards.2 Energy expert Glenn LaMay assures that leaving a phone charger plugged in all day is not a fire hazard, as all electrical devices, including chargers, must pass safety tests before being sold to consumers.3
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