What are the risks of leaving a charger plugged in when empty?
Leaving a charger plugged in all the time, even without a connected device, seems harmless. However, this habit can have negative consequences on electricity consumption, charger wear and even safety. Here’s why it’s best to unplug your unused chargers.
Why it’s not recommended to leave your charger plugged in when empty
Invisible but very real electricity consumption
A plugged-in charger always consumes electricity, even when no device is connected to it.
Economic impact: Multiply this consumption by the number of chargers in a household and over several years, this can represent several euros wasted unnecessarily.
Environmental impact: Added up on a global scale, this consumption contributes to energy waste and the increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Premature wear of the charger
Leaving a charger plugged in all the time reduces its lifespan.
Continuous heating: Even without use, a charger receives current, which generates heat and causes internal wear.
Risk of incompatibilities: Chargers that use cables or adapters from different brands are often more prone to failure and overheating.
A (small) risk of fire
Continued on the next page
ADVERTISEMENT
