In many ways, our mobile devices can help us lead more environmentally-friendly lifestyles. The plethora of apps and constant connectivity to the internet provide us with the information we need to make sustainable consumer choices, for example, or access public transportation more easily. But incorporating more gadgetry into more aspects of daily life uses up an ever-increasing amount of so called “vampire” energy or electricity — the power suck when our devices are plugged in but turned off—costs U.S. consumers $3 billion a year alone.
Electronics accessory manufacturer Bracketron hopes that this new product line of environmentally friendly batteries and chargers will help make our devices a little less parasitic on the grid, making another contribution to the growing line of electronics intended to fight vampire energy. Unlike traditional chargers, GreenZero chargers know when a device is fully charged, at which point they automatically stop providing juice to a phone. And the chargers know when your phone is unplugged, too, so no need to flick a switch on a power strip to fight the drain of vampire energy.
If the allure of cutting back on your electricity bill isn’t enough, the GreenZone accessories offer another bonus: the design is pretty cool too. The very appropriately named “Mushroom” charger includes a big green button on top: Just press it to start or stop charging. (See photo, above) So, from one environmentally-friendly gadget geek to another, check them out and give it a go! And, if you do purchase one, let us know what you think.
(via @GOOD & Bracketron.com)
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I have heard that if a family is not using any electrical items in their
home, they should be unplugged. I also think it is a bit inconvenient…
Thanks for the update on these Eco-friendly Device Chargers!
Cindi
Yep! Thats true Cindi. Even your toaster is sucking out energy when its plugged in and not being used. Chargers like this have an intelligent design that don't do this though!
Do a search for vampire electricity, it will tell you about wasted energy from our appliances and electronics.
I definitely think it's important to find more eco-friendly ways to power all of our modern-day devices. Simply leaving an alarm clock plugged in all day zaps electricity, yet I think it would be hard to find anyone who unplugs their alarm during the day. Knowing myself, I would probably forget to plug it back in!
Get a wind up alarm clock
We try to unplug appliances that we aren't using, but this is a great idea for phones!
This might explain my extremely high electric bill. I really need to unplug some of our appliances, but it's just so hard to remember to do it. I kind of like this cute little charger.
I try to unplug appliances but it annoys my family to no end. Like it takes SO much energy to plug it in. LOL We have solar powered pads that charge our phones, etc.