Pricey Entertainment: The Burden When the Charging Cable Remains Plugged In - The Price Paid When Electric Cable Remains Plugged In
In today's digital age, it's easy to overlook the energy consumption of our everyday devices, particularly when they're not in active use. A recent study and some tests have shed light on an often-overlooked energy drain: the standby power consumption of chargers.
If every charger in Germany were left plugged in, it would result in 170 million kilowatt-hours of wasted power, primarily from smartphones. This is equivalent to the energy consumption of powering 15,000 average German households for a year[1].
An unused phone charger, tablet charger, or laptop charger typically consumes between 0.1 and 0.5 watts of power when left plugged in but not connected to a device[3]. Over time, this standby power usage can add up to 5 to 10 kWh annually per charger, comparable to leaving a TV on for 50 to 100 hours[1][3].
This "phantom" or standby power contributes to increased electricity bills and has a tangible environmental impact by increasing carbon dioxide emissions due to unnecessary energy consumption[1][3]. On a larger scale, standby power use from devices like chargers accounts for hundreds of terawatt-hours annually worldwide, representing a significant source of avoidable energy waste[3].
The environmental impact comes mainly from the additional carbon footprint associated with generating the extra electricity consumed. Reducing this waste by unplugging chargers when not in use, using power strips with switches, or smart plugs that cut power after charging can help lower both costs and emissions[1].
The habit of leaving chargers plugged in, such as for smartphones, tablets, or laptops, is often due to convenience, as many people charge their devices at the same location. However, charging devices at the same location can lead to the devices consuming power unnecessarily when not in use[2].
Three different chargers were tested: a universal USB-C charger from Anker, an older iPhone charger, and one for a MacBook Air with an M1 chip. The Anker charger for the iPad consumes 17 watts when the iPad is in use with a nearly full battery. The consumption increases when the MacBook Air's battery starts to drain, peaking at up to 28 watts at 95% charge[2]. When the iPad is off, the Anker charger consumes 7 watts to charge it, even at 96% battery, likely to preserve the device's battery[2].
It's important to note that cheaper or counterfeit chargers may consume even more power in standby mode and pose safety risks such as overheating or fire, further emphasizing the value of quality chargers and mindful usage[1].
Moreover, defective devices can pose a hidden fire risk, and it's important to avoid leaving any charging device in the outlet, regardless of concern for the climate[2].
In conclusion, while an individual charger uses a small amount of power when unused but plugged in, the cumulative effect across many chargers in many homes significantly impacts energy consumption and the environment. Unplugging chargers when not in use is a simple way to reduce this unnecessary power draw and its environmental consequences.
- The Commission's proposal for a directive on food labelling could extend to reducing energy consumption, especially in items like smartphones, as their standby power consumption can contribute significantly to waste and carbon dioxide emissions.
- Although lifestyle changes, such as adopting home-and-garden practices or using gadgets more mindfully, can help reduce overall energy consumption, it's crucial not to overlook the impact of standby power consumption from chargers, including those for smartphones and other devices in today's digital age.
- As people seek to minimize their carbon footprint, considering energy-efficient choices for home-and-garden equipment and gadgets is important. One easy but often overlooked step is unplugging chargers when not in use, like those for smartphones, tablets, or laptops, to save energy and reduce environmental impact.
