A plugged-in phone charger has become a common sight in many households, often left in the outlet even when not actively charging a device. However, there are several reasons why leaving your charger plugged in without your phone is not as harmless as it may seem.
The Power of A Phone Charger
Chargers continue to consume power even when they are not actively charging a device. A test using a genuine Apple phone charger showed that it consumes around 130W of power per month, which adds up to 1.5KWh per year. While this might seem like a small amount initially, the cumulative effect becomes significant when you consider multiple chargers.
It’s important to consider how many chargers are in use and their individual power consumption. Larger chargers tend to use more power, and non-genuine chargers can consume significantly more—up to 10 to 20 times more, according to some tests. Moreover, the environmental impact of millions of continuously running chargers shouldn’t be ignored, as they contribute to higher kilowatt hours and increased carbon emissions.
Fire Hazard: A Real Concern
Leaving a phone charger plugged in poses a potential fire hazard. Chargers can overheat, especially if they are covered by items like clothes or books, which can raise the temperature and create a fire risk. This danger is even greater when using low-quality or non-branded chargers that may not meet safety standards.
