Summary
Leaving devices connected overnight can completely deplete portable power banks. While some power banks and charging hubs monitor energy use, using a smart outlet can help track and minimize energy lost from idle devices.
The Impact of Overnight Charging on Power Banks
Many people are advised to unplug devices when not in use, but this recommendation is often overlooked due to its insidious nature. The consequences of continuous charging can be surprising and easily verified.
Drainage from Power Banks
In my efforts to facilitate charging around my home, I’ve distributed power banks throughout several rooms. This setup allows ease of access, especially when furniture is placed far from electrical outlets. However, I’ve become increasingly aware of the need to unplug my phone after charging.
I typically use smaller power banks, most of which have a capacity of 10,000mAh. While this capacity is sufficient to completely charge a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 twice, I’ve discovered that if I leave my phone plugged into a power bank overnight, I often wake up to find the power bank drained. This occurs because the phone continues to draw power to ensure its battery remains fully charged. Even with battery management settings that prevent it from exceeding 100% charge, the device still consumes energy intermittently throughout the night. Consequently, instead of gaining two charges, I end up with just one, with the battery fully depleted.
Understanding Power Consumption
Interestingly, smartphones often draw more power during charging than they expend when not connected. For example, my phone charges at over 20W but utilizes considerably less energy when unplugged. By disconnecting my phone at the right time, I could prevent unnecessary drainage from its internal battery, which is significantly smaller at 4,400mAh. Typically, my phone would only lose a few percentage points of battery overnight, meaning the energy drawn from the power bank is largely wasted.
Power Banks with Energy Monitoring Features
While waking up to a dead power bank indicates excessive energy usage, it doesn’t provide precise details unless the power bank has a built-in energy display. Larger models, especially those with outputs of 60W or 100W, often come equipped with screens that indicate real-time energy output.
Investing in USB-C charging hubs that include energy monitoring can yield similarly beneficial information. For instance, if the display reads 20W, it signals that the phone is currently drawing that amount of power. It’s important to note that energy consumption varies depending on the phone’s charge level; while charging may start high when the battery is low, it lowers significantly as the battery approaches full capacity. Nonetheless, even a reduced draw of 3W is akin to leaving an unused light bulb on, wasting energy unnecessarily.
Insights from Portable Power Stations
Living in a rural area presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to losses in power supply. In response, I’ve invested in portable power stations, including the Anker Solix F3800 Plus. These stations typically provide real-time power output details, which is more pronounced than the energy drawn by phones — the large AC inverters consume a significant amount of energy.
There are instances where plugging in larger devices, such as laptops, will rapidly deplete smaller power banks. For example, the Anker Solix C300 is advertised as capable of charging a laptop up to four times via USB-C. However, in practice, my wife’s laptop drained the C300 within a few hours while in use. Much like smartphones, laptops may not fully deplete their own batteries when connected to a power source, but they readily accept the additional energy.
Utilizing Smart Outlets for Enhanced Monitoring
One approach to managing energy waste is through smart outlets, such as the Tapo P210M. These outlets enable you to monitor energy consumption effectively. For example, if you leave a charger plugged into a smart outlet, it will track energy use over days, weeks, or months. This usage data can be accessed via an accompanying app, eliminating the need for manual calculations.
To minimize energy consumption, you can program the smart outlet to turn off automatically after a preset time, allowing phone charging overnight without leaving devices plugged in indefinitely. Many smart plugs or surge protectors also have this capability, requiring no electrical work during installation.
While the exact costs associated with leaving devices plugged in may vary based on the number of chargers in use, you can easily calculate potential waste by monitoring the charger’s output and multiplying it by the hours of usage. Utility companies often bill by the kilowatt-hour, with typical rates around 12 cents per kilowatt. While the total waste may not amount to a significant monthly expense, it still represents lost energy that could otherwise be conserved.
