Does plugged-in phone charger use electricity?

Most people leave their phone chargers plugged into the wall socket even when they are not charging a device. But is that a good idea? Does it increase your electricity bill even if no phone is connected? The short answer is yes but the full explanation is a bit more nuanced.

Yes, a charger that remains plugged into a power outlet continues to draw a small amount of electricity even when it is not charging a device. This small amount of electricity is known as standby power or vampire power. It allows the charger to begin charging immediately as soon as a device is connected.

However, chargers do not waste a significant amount of energy. A typical charger in standby mode consumes around 0.1 to 0.5 watts of power. Over a full day, this amounts to approximately 2 to 24 watt-hours of electricity.

While this is a very small amount, the total energy consumption can add up if multiple chargers and other electronic devices are left plugged in throughout the home. Even a single charger contributes slightly to your electricity bill although the actual cost depends on your local electricity tariff.

Besides phone chargers, devices such as computers, televisions, gaming consoles and microwave ovens also consume electricity while in standby mode. According to estimates by the Canadian government, devices left in standby mode account for 5% to 10% of a household’s total electricity consumption.