Almost 1% of the electricity used in homes is consumed by devices with chargers
Devices with chargers can include video cameras, discmans and MP3 players. These feature built in rechargeable batteries. Some devices have separate chargers, but others are fixed to the wall and are permanently plugged into the mains.
Switch off at the mains, or unplug the charger
The best advice for devices with chargers is to switch them off or unplug them when you have finished charging the device.
This applies particularly to devices with non-electronic chargers which often have higher standby consumption. The typical characteristic of these chargers is that they are large and heavy and get rather hot while charging.
Many new chargers for mobile phones, MP3 players and other devices have efficient power supplies, which means that it is not quite so important if you forget to switch them off.
Ask about standby consumption before you decide
When buying devices with chargers that are normally plugged in for most of the time, such as mobile telephones, it is worth checking whether they use a lot of standby power. Ideally, this should not exceed 1 watt when the device is plugged in but not switched on.
Meter your consumption with a SparOmeter
Borrow or buy a SparOmeter to keep track of the power used by your appliances. This accurate meter measures the power consumption in both the on and standby modes.
Page last updated 06.10.2008