Electricity Bill: As soon as the summer season arrives, there is a huge jump in the electricity bill. It is natural for the electricity consumption to increase due to the continuous use of electronic devices like AC, cooler, fan and geyser. In such a situation, people in every house start taking some measures like running the AC by closing the room, using the geyser for a short time or switching off the lights without need. But do you know that there are many such small habits, which silently increase your electricity bill – and one of them is leaving the charger switched on.
Leaving the charger plugged in can be the hidden reason for the increase in electricity bill
Many people leave the charger plugged in the switchboard even after charging their phone, thinking that if the phone is not charging then there is no electricity consumption. But this thinking is wrong. When you leave the charger switched on in the board, it still keeps consuming electricity little by little. Whether any device is connected to it or not. In technical language this is called ‘phantom load’ or ‘standby power’. That is, the device is off or not in use. Still it is consuming electricity.
Fast charger may increase power consumption
Nowadays everyone wants their smartphone to be fully charged in minutes. This is why the demand for chargers with fast charging support has increased rapidly in the market. But do you know that these fast chargers consume more power than normal chargers? And when you keep them plugged in and switch them on even after use, they keep sucking power even without any use.
According to a report, if you just keep the charger plugged in like this for the whole month, then it can consume 0.1 to 0.4 units of electricity per day. Its direct impact will be visible on your monthly electricity bill.
What is ‘Phantom Power’ or ‘Idle Load’?
When an electronic device like mobile charger, TV, microwave or computer adapter is connected in switched on state, but is not in use, it still consumes a small amount of electricity. This process is called ‘phantom power’ or ‘idle load’.
According to electricity experts, if 10 to 15 such devices are connected switched on in the house, then 50 to 100 units of extra electricity can be consumed every month. That is, an unnecessary bill of Rs 500 to Rs 1,200!
Not just chargers, these devices also consume phantom load
- TV set-top box: consumes power even when not on
- Microwave oven: consumes power when on timer display or in standby mode
- Desktop computer and monitor
- Laptop adapter and mobile charger
- Control panel of washing machine and dishwasher
- If you do not switch off or unplug all these devices after use, they continue to consume small amounts of power which can lead to a big shock in the form of bills.
What can we do to stop wastage of electricity?
- Unplug the charger immediately after use
- Connect such devices to a multiplug and turn off the multiplug after use
- Use power strips so that all devices can be turned off with a single button
- Turn off or unplug all electronic devices before going to bed at night
- Use a timer or smart plug that automatically stops charging after a set period of time
Hundreds of rupees can be saved every month by adopting a small habit
If you just start switching off chargers, TVs and other standby devices, it is possible to save 5–10 units of electricity every month. That means you can save ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 in a year. That too without any major hassle.
“Due to this mistake, the electricity bill is very high – almost everyone makes this big mistake”:
💡 Electricity Bill FAQ: Avoiding the Common Mistake That Spikes Your Bill
Q1: What is the common mistake that causes high electricity bills?
A: The most common mistake is leaving appliances plugged in or on standby mode when not in use. Devices like TVs, chargers, microwave ovens, routers, and gaming consoles continue to draw power even when turned off—this is known as phantom or standby power.
Q2: How much energy do idle or standby devices really consume?
A: It varies by device, but idle electronics can account for 5–10% of your monthly electricity bill. Over a year, this can add up to a significant amount of wasted energy and money.
Q3: What are other overlooked mistakes that raise electricity costs?
A:
- Using old or inefficient appliances
- Keeping lights on in unoccupied rooms
- Running air conditioners or heaters with windows open
- Not using energy-efficient lighting (e.g., using incandescent bulbs instead of LEDs)
- Setting the thermostat too high or too low
Q4: How can I reduce electricity waste from standby power?
A:
- Unplug devices when not in use
- Use power strips with on/off switches
- Invest in smart plugs or energy-monitoring devices
- Enable energy-saving modes on electronics and appliances
Q5: How do I know which devices are consuming the most energy?
A: You can use a kill-a-watt meter or a smart energy monitor to measure the power usage of each device. Your utility provider may also offer home energy reports or smart meter data.