How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Printer
Information about an energy-efficient computer printer in this section includes the following:
| Efficiency Recommendation Cost-Effectiveness Example Where to Find |
Buyer Tips Usage Tips For More Information |
Also provided is a portable document format version of How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Computer Printer (PDF 66 KB, 2 pp). Download Adobe Reader.
| Efficiency Recommendation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Printer Speed | Recommended "Sleep" Modea | |
| Laser B/W + All Inkjetb | Laser Colorc | |
| >10 pages/min. | 10 watts or less | 35 watts or less |
| 11-20 pages/min | 20 watts or less | 45 watts or less |
| 21-30 pages/min | 30 watts or less | 70 watts or less |
| 31-44 pages/min | 40 watts or less> | 70 watts or less |
| >44 pages/min | 75 watts or less | 70 watts or less |
a "Sleep" mode refers to a low-power standby condition, which is entered automatically after a set period of inactivity. The printer's active mode is restored when a print command is received.
b Includes both black-ink and color inkjets, and printer/fax combinations.
c Also includes LED and thermal transfer color printers. Note that most higher speed color printers are digital, network-capable copier-printer combinations.
| Cost-Effectiveness Example | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Base Model | Recommended Level (with duplexing) | |
| Annual Energy Use | 370 kWh | 144 kWh | |
| Annual Energy Cost | $22 | $9 | |
| Lifetime Energy Costa | $110 | $40 | |
| Lifetime Energy Cost Savings | — | $70 | |
| Annual Paper Use | 72,000 sheets | 54,000 sheets | |
| Annual Paper Cost | $360 | $270 | |
| Lifetime Paper Costa | $1,900 | $1,400 | |
| Lifetime Paper Cost Savings | — | $500 | |
| Lifetime Total Cost Savings | — | $570 | |
a Lifetime energy or paper cost is the sum of the discounter (present) value of annual energy or paper costs based on the modeled usage and an assumed printer life of 6 years. Future electricity price trends and a discount rate of 3.3% are based on Federal guidelines (effective from April 2001 to March 2002).
Cost-Effectiveness Assumptions: Annual energy use in the above example is based on typical office operating practices, including a 9.5 hour work day with 8.5 hours of standby (inactive) time and 268 operating days per year. Also, the example incorporates the assumption that 70% of all shared networked printers are left on overnight and on weekends. The modeled printer output is 6,000 images per month. In the Recommended model, 50% of images are assumed to be duplex-printed. The assumed electricity price is $0.06/kWh (including demand charges). The average paper cost is assumed to be $0.05/sheet.
Using the Cost-Effectiveness Table: In the example shown above, a 17 pages-per-minute printer at the recommended efficiency level (with duplexing) is cost effective if its purchase price is not more than $570 above the price of the base model.
Where to Find Energy-Efficient Printers
The Federal supply source for printers is the General Services Administration (GSA). GSA's on-line ordering system, GSA Advantage!, can be used to select and order printers. Make sure that the model you order qualifies for the ENERGY STAR® label. All ENERGY STAR® printers meet this efficiency recommendation.
When contracting or buying from a commercial source, specify or select a model with the ENERGY STAR® label. Visit the ENERGY STAR® Web site for a list of complying models.
Buyer Tips
If you are buying a medium- or high-speed laser printer that produces at least 6,000-8,000 pager per month, choose a model with duplexing (two-sided printing) capability. Duplexing is often a standard feature above 40 pages/minute. Duplexing printers save on paper costs (see Printer Cost-Effectiveness Example), as well as providing other benefits such as lower postage, reduced file space, etc. The added cost of a printer duplex attachment is often repaid in two years or less.
Usage Tips
Make sure the power management and duplexing features of your printer have been "enabled" at the printer and that duplexing is the default setting within each user's software. Set the "wait time" prior to sleep mode as short as possible, consistent with user needs.
Even for printers with a low-power sleep mode, you can save more energy if you manually shut them off completely at night and on weekends. A few printer models do not have a manual on/off switch; these can be shut off using an external "power strip" (surge protector).
Networked systems that allow several nearby users to share a single (faster) printer generally save time, cost, and energy compared with each computer having a dedicated printer.
In some cases, an older printer that does not have an ENERGY STAR® sleep mode can still be power-managed using an external control device. External controls switch the printer off (rather than into sleep mode) after a preset time, and switch it on again when a "print" signal is received. EPA's Web site and hotline (see For More Information) provide a list of external printer controls.
For More Information
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an ENERGY STAR® printer program which includes a list of complying printer models (Excel 408 KB).
Phone: (888) STAR-YES (782-7937) - TCO is a labeling program for computers, monitors, and other office equipment that includes energy efficiency, environmental, and ergonomic criteria, as well as low electro-magnetic emissions.
Phone: (312) 781-6223 - Buyer's Lab, Inc. publishes detailed printer test reports and a Printer Specification Guide.
Phone: (201) 488-0404 - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory maintains a Web site devoted to office paper reduction issues and strategies.
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provided supporting analysis for this recommendation.
Phone: (202) 646-7950