The Hidden Costs of Leaving Charging Cables Plugged In

Charging cables left plugged in pose significant financial and environmental challenges. Modern devices can waste up to 0.3 watts, while older models may incur costs of up to 12 euros annually.

This results in a staggering annual loss of 170 million kWh, translating to approximately 82,450 tons of CO2 emissions. To mitigate these effects, users can employ rocker switches and improve visibility of their charging setups, encouraging unplugging when devices are not in use.

Additionally, comparison portals can help consumers identify and invest in energy-efficient devices, potentially saving up to 5.5 billion euros collectively. The EU's Ecodesign Regulation aims to limit standby power consumption to 0.3 watts, with USB-C cables set to become the standard by 2024. For those curious about their energy use, a power meter can provide insights into the consumption of chargers.