Consumer Battery Chargers

THE PRODUCT:

Battery chargers may be stand-alone equipment or embedded in other products. Examples of consumer devices that use battery chargers include mobile phones, cordless vacuums, bluetooth speakers, and electric-powered lawn equipment. Wireless charging technology has advanced considerably and has become a widespread feature in new consumer products such as mobile phones and wearable devices. 

THE STANDARD:

The current standards for residential battery chargers took effect in 2018. The standards specify maximum levels for unit energy consumption (UEC) depending on the type of battery charger and the battery energy. UEC incorporates active mode, standby mode, and off mode energy use. At the time the current federal standards were established, about 95% of residential battery chargers sold nationally already met the standards as a result of prior state standards adopted by California and Oregon that largely shifted the national market to more efficient products.

In 2023, DOE proposed amended standards for residential battery chargers (including wireless chargers) that represent annual energy savings of about 10-50% relative to the current standards, depending on the end-use product type. The proposed standards specify separate standards for maximum active charge energy and maximum standby mode and off mode power consumption. However, DOE withdrew the proposed standards in January 2025.

KEY FACTS:

Battery chargers generally operate in three modes: no-battery, maintenance, and active modes. In no-battery mode, the charger is plugged in but is not connected to a battery. In maintenance mode, the charger is plugged in and attached to the battery, which is fully charged. In active mode, the charger is plugged in and attached to the battery, which is being charged. Inefficient battery chargers often continue to provide constant current to the battery even after the battery is fully charged.