“Busting the Myth”: SA Thanks Man for Revealing if Unused Chargers Waste Electricity When Plugged In

• Wes Reddy, a local content creator sharing tips to save money and energy, shared whether chargers that are plugged in and not in use draw power
• The man showed the results for multiple cellphone chargers and a laptop charger, proving that one of the devices could be left plugged in
• South Africans were surprised and grateful for the information and expressed themselves in the comments

With our rollercoaster economy, it's always best to find ways to save money and energy. A local man, Wes Reddy, revealed to South Africans whether chargers continue to draw power when plugged in, even when not in use.

Taking to his ever-growing TikTok account on 5 August, 2025, the energy-saving content creator showed how he tested three different cellphone chargers and a laptop charger using a particular.

Wes told the online community:

"When the cellphone chargers are plugged in but not in use or unplugged completely, they use no power whatsoever. So you can leave your cellphone chargers plugged in."

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However, the laptop charger was a different story. It used 7W of power while plugged in and not in use.

"If I calculate 22 hours a day plugged in and not used, the laptop charger uses 4.5kWh per month at R4. That's R18 per month."

Wes noted in the comment section that he calculated 22 hours a day, as laptops take roughly two hours to fully charge.

He concluded:

"So, I would say, don't bother unplugging your cellphone charger, but do unplug your laptop charger."

Mzansi appreciates charger information

Hundreds of curious and appreciative members of the online community gathered in the comment section to thank Wes for the information he had provided. Other internet users, who enjoyed his content, suggested that Wes test other appliances used around the house daily.

@jr472042 jokingly stated:

"I'm sure Eskom charges me for even looking at a plug point."

@suey236, who found the information interesting, stated:

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"I have been fighting with my nephews about unplugging the chargers when not in use."

@amari8396 shared with social media users:

"The way electricity is so expensive, I now unplug everything that is not being used. I even switch off the TV and microwave plugs."

@kimvleonard said to Wes:

"I was convinced that cellphone chargers use electricity when not charging, but are plugged in. Thank you for busting the myth."

@lunalola_0 added in the comment section:

"My mom needs to follow you."

Wes replied to the TikTok user with a smile:

"A lot of people say that as their moms often give them a hard time switching off stuff that doesn’t really cost a lot or anything at all."

Take a look at the TikTok video below:

3 Other energy-saving stories

• In another article, Briefly News reported on how to save with a geyser. Wes left the appliance on for one week and then switched it off and on for two hours in the morning and evening for another week.
• Wes shared the true cost of boiling water in a kettle. He made numerous calculations, multiplying and dividing numbers to get to his answer.
• Finally, Wes told South Africans how much it would cost them to charge their cellphones. After sharing the low amount, local social media users filled the comment section with questions.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News