Is it rude to borrow an unused power outlet without asking?
Sometimes I'm at the doctor's office, at the library, or even at the grocery store and see an unused power outlet. My phone is dying. I feel weird plugging in, but I feel even weirder asking for permission.
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Phones charging use such little power I'd really be surprised if anyone cared. It really depends on the place. A library I would have no issue plugging in anything without asking. I can't say I've ever been at the doctors and considered charging my phone though I may ask out of courtesy if I did simply because I like my doctor. Overall I'd say it wouldn't be a big deal either way.
They use a few cents (in US dollars) a year.
A 2000 mAh battery that is charging at 3.7V for one hour per day uses 2.5kWh of energy per year. About $.50 at ~$.20/kWh. That’s pretty remarkable!