Did you know that leaving your phone charger plugged in without using it can add an invisible cost to your energy bill? See the real impact of this habit.
Most people keep their phone charger plugged into the wall outlet even when they are not charging any device.
This practice seems harmless, but the power consumption even when the charger is not actively Loading a device, can generate unexpected annual costs on your electricity bill. Let’s explore the technical and financial details of this common habit.
Charger power consumption in standby
Phone chargers consume power in standby mode, even when not connected to a device.
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This consumption, known as “energy – phantom“, is one of the causes of electricity waste in homes.
With the evolution of energy efficiency standards, the most modern chargers have been designed to reduce this consumption.
Regulations such as da European Union stipulate that devices manufactured after 2022 must have a maximum consumption of 0,10 W on standby. Older models, however, may have significantly higher consumption.
O Inmetro (National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) establishes energy efficiency standards for various electronic devices, including consumption in standby mode.
Calculation of annual cost in Brazil
How did we arrive at the value below? The amount of energy used by the charger depends on the electricity tariff applied in your region and the type of consumer (residential, commercial, industrial). Electricity tariffs in Brazil vary according to the distributor and the location.
Compliant Clarke Energy, Rio Grande do Sul has an average kWh tariff of R$ 0,70. If we consider a hypothetical tariff of R$ 0,70 per kWh, the calculation would be:
- Chargers manufactured after 2022: Consume approximately 0,10 W. Left connected for a whole year (24h/day), they would use about 0,876 kWh, resulting in an annual cost of R$0,6132.
- Models between 2011 and 2022: With consumption of 0,30 W, would use about 2,6 kWh per year, generating an expense of approximately R$1,82.
- Chargers from 2010 or older: consume on average 4,3 kWh per year, at a cost of R$3,01.
Older and inefficient models
Before current regulations, some chargers had a power consumption of 0,75 W and 1 W or more.
In addition to the financial cost, these older models also carry a higher risk of overheating and electrical failure due to a lack of modern safety standards.
Global energy waste
The impact of standby power consumption is not only financial, but also environmental. Millions of connected chargers around the world contribute to unnecessary energy waste, increasing carbon emissions and overloading power grids.
Studies estimate that devices on standby can represent up to 10% of total electricity consumption in homes.
security risks
Keeping chargers plugged in 24 hours a day also poses safety risks. Low-quality products, often purchased from marketplaces such as Temu and AliExpress, may not meet international standards, increasing the chances of overheating, short circuits and even fires.
Over time, even good quality chargers can wear out, increasing risks.
The main problems include:
- Excessive heating of the socket and plugs.
- Electrical overload during peak periods.
- Internal failures that can lead to fires.
How to reduce energy waste
To avoid wasting energy and risks, follow some practical tips:
- Unplug the charger when not in use.
- Invest in smart plugs with automatic shut-off.
- Choose chargers certified with an energy efficiency seal.
- Avoid generic products or products of dubious origin.
- Periodically check the condition of cables and connectors.
Is it worth disconnecting the charger?
While the financial impact of a single connected charger is small, the accumulation of multiple devices on standby adds up over time.
Unplugging unnecessary chargers is a simple and effective way to save energy and increase the electrical safety of your home.
Creating this habit not only reduces your electricity bill, but also helps extend the life of your chargers and contributes to global sustainability. Small actions, when multiplied, make a big difference.
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These calculations are PER YEAR. This means that a charger that was purchased in the last 3 years consumes only 5 CENTS per month. There are many families out there losing their peace, fighting over these nonsense over 5 CENTS. Is this the value of your Peace? – “Oh, but at home I have 3 chargers, 1 microwave, 1 TV and 1 washing machine. You have to unplug them pipipi popopo”. That doesn't even consume 40 cents of your bill. Appliances have on that paper that shows the consumption how much it uses without being used, just plugged in, and it's a matter of CENTS! 40 CENTS per month is 4,80 per year. In 10 years of fighting with your family, you lost your peace and everyone else's for less than 50 reais in TEN YEARS.
Stop fighting over these ****.
I never leave my charger plugged in when I'm not using it.