It is common that, in everyday life, we leave our mobile phone chargers plugged in even when we are not using the device. Although the power consumption of a single connected charger is relatively low, it can add up if we have multiple chargers and devices plugged in at all times.
Below, with information from Xataka, We explain two simple ways to know how much energy your cell phone charger consumes when it is plugged in without use.
smart plug
Smart plugs are devices that allow you to control the activity of a plug from your mobile phone or voice assistants. You can plug your charger into one of these devices and monitor the power consumption. Some models have consumption monitoring functions, which will allow you to know how much energy the charger is consuming when you are not using your phone.
However, keep in mind that the consumption of an unused charger is so low that most smart plugs cannot register this amount. These devices are most useful for controlling devices that consume more power when on standby.
Electric meter
Another option is to purchase an electricity consumption meter, which is available in stores such as Amazon. These devices plug into the wall and allow you to connect a device to them to measure their energy consumption in real time.
To find out how much power your charger is consuming while it is plugged in and not in use, simply plug the charger into the consumption meter. You will then be able to see the amount of power that builds up during the time the charger remains plugged in without charging your phone. For a more accurate calculation, check your electricity rate and the prices for the different time slots.
In most cases, you will find that the power consumption of a mobile phone charger when not in use is minimal. However, by using these tools, you can also evaluate other electronic devices that may be in standby mode and collectively identify opportunities to save energy.