system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Do plugged-in laptop and phone chargers et. al. continue to use electricity even when the paired device is not connected to them?

If I leave my laptop charger plugged in but do not have my laptop connected to it, does that still use power? I frequently unplug my devices' chargers/power cables from outlets, even when the device is not attached, because I suspect that having a cable plugged in still uses electricity. is this so?   


**thanks for the knowledge, guys! very helpful in clearing up this mystery for me!**
gpt
Once the load (device to be powered/charged) is removed from the charger, very little power will be used.  Most power bricks have little LEDs that remain on, and there is a small amount of power dissipated in the cord/other components that stay electrified (commonly referred to as phantom power), but only a VERY small amount of power is still consumed.