Kenya Power Debunks Overnight Phone Charging Myth

You might have noticed an extra charge on your electricity bill, but did you know that charging your phone overnight could be contributing to the rising costs? 

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s common to plug in our phones at night to ensure they’re fully charged by morning. However, this seemingly harmless habit could be costing you more than you think.

While many modern phones are designed with smart charging technology that stops charging once the battery is full, this doesn’t stop your electricity bill from growing. Even though the phone may not be drawing power continuously, it still consumes electricity throughout the night, adding up over time.

It’s time to rethink that overnight charging habit to keep your energy costs in check.

In an informative post on X on Friday, January 17, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) clarified that charging one’s phone overnight does indeed increase the cost of electricity.

According to KPLC, despite being fully charged, your phone still draws small amounts of energy, which ultimately increases the bill.

“Myth: Charging your phone overnight doesn’t waste energy. Fact: Once your phone is fully charged, it continues to draw small amounts of power, wasting energy over time,” Kenya Power informed.

To help regulate electricity costs, KPLC has advised Kenyans and the general public to always unplug their phone once it’s fully charged.

“Unplug your charger once your phone is fully charged or use smart plugs to cut off power automatically,” KPLC advised.

Apart from increasing the electricity bill, charging your phone overnight can generate heat that, in extreme cases, may lead to a fire.

At the very least, avoid stacking anything, such as books or other devices, on top of a charging device. For the love of your health, don’t put your charging phone under a pillow.

Overall, if you want your phone to last longer, remain healthy, and pay a lower electricity bill, avoid charging your phone overnight. Remember to unplug it before you sleep.