Estimating the Cost of Wasted Energy During Overcharging Smartphones and Using COVID19 Apps

Abstract

Energy wastage through irresponsible smartphone use comprises a significant sum. Using a secondary desk-based literature review, this paper evaluates con-temporary literature to calculate an approximate estimate of the amount of energy wasted through irresponsible smartphone use by US users on an annual basis. Conservative estimates purely based on overcharging of smartphones in the US suggest that the figure is in excess of US$400m per annum. A variety of factors contribute to irresponsible smartphone use, which are predominantly behavioral in nature. This paper highlights some of the impacts of excessive smartphone use and considers steps which might be taken by users themselves to reduce energy wastage during smartphone use. In addition, suggestions are made to manufac-turers to help them ‘nudge’ users into more responsible behavior through the principles of behavioral economics.