Modern homes are filled with devices, each requiring a charger. From phones to laptops to smart home gadgets, the number of plugged-in items has increased significantly. While it’s convenient to leave these chargers connected, unplugging them when not in use offers several important benefits, according to energy experts.
The Case for Unplugging Chargers
Energy experts say unplugging chargers when they’re not being used is one of the simplest ways to improve home safety, save money, and extend the life of your electronics.
Surge Protection
Power surges are a real threat to electronic devices. These electrical spikes can damage or destroy your chargers and the devices they power. According to energy experts, half of U.S. households experience power surges annually. As energy demands grow—partly due to the expansion of AI-driven data centers—these events may become more common.
Fire Safety
Leaving chargers plugged in unnecessarily increases the risk of fire. Electrical adapters can overheat, especially when used with high-draw devices like e-bikes. “You remove the risk of fires caused by adapters, which can become hot enough to ignite if used continuously,” says Ethan Heine, CEO of Suntrek Solar.
Phantom Power Draw
Even when not connected to a device, many chargers continue to draw small amounts of electricity—known as phantom power. “Modern chargers continue to pull phantom power even after they are disconnected from their device,” explains Heine. “Each device continues to use anywhere between 0.1 and 0.5 watts per hour as long as it remains plugged into a wall outlet.”
While this may seem insignificant for one or two chargers, the cumulative effect across multiple devices can add up. By unplugging all unused chargers, homeowners can save an estimated $20 to $40 per year on their electricity bills.
Extending Charger Lifespan
Unplugging chargers also helps extend their lifespan. “The life expectancy of all chargers will increase, due to less heat generated and fewer parts breaking down over time,” notes Heine. Heat is a major factor in electronic component degradation, so unplugging reduces unnecessary wear and tear.
Which Chargers Should Stay Plugged In?
Not all chargers are created equal. Here’s guidance on what to leave connected and what to unplug.
Chargers to Leave Plugged In
- Chargers for devices that need to be constantly powered (critical devices, smart home equipment, home health devices)
- Battery maintainers (devices designed to keep batteries charged)
- Small device chargers like electric toothbrushes
Chargers to Unplug
- Laptop chargers and fast phone chargers
- Chargers for micromobility devices (e-bikes, scooters, hoverboards)
- Power tool batteries
- Multi-port USB chargers
- Digital coffee makers
- Gaming consoles
- Printers
Other Items to Unplug
Beyond chargers, several other common household items should be unplugged when not in use:
– Devices designed to generate heat (hair dryers, electric blankets, space heaters)
– Security cameras and video doorbells (though these should generally be powered, they still generate some heat when active)
The Bottom Line
Unplugging chargers is a simple habit with multiple benefits. It protects your electronics from power surges, reduces the risk of fire, saves money on your electricity bill, and extends the life of your charging equipment. While convenience may tempt you to leave everything connected, the long-term benefits of unplugging make it a worthwhile habit to develop.
Making small changes to your daily routine can have significant cumulative effects. Unplugging chargers is one of those simple actions that delivers multiple benefits at little cost—or effort
