ENERGY STAR® Qualified Office Equipment - Imaging Equipment
Imaging Equipment
Definitions for Each Type of Product
Qualifying Products
Energy-Efficiency Specifications
Making the Right Choice
Imaging Equipment
Version 1.1
ENERGY STAR qualified imaging equipment includes copiers and fax machines; digital duplicators; printers, scanners and all-in-one devices; and, mailing machines. Models that meet the revised ENERGY STAR imaging equipment criteria:
- are 40% more energy efficient, and;
- feature efficient designs that help equipment run cooler and last longer.
The current ENERGY STAR specification for imaging equipment became effective on July 1, 2009.
Definitions for Each Type of Product
- Copier – A commercially-available imaging product whose sole function is the production of hard copy duplicates from graphic hard copy originals. The unit must be capable of being powered from a wall outlet or from a data or network connection. This definition is intended to cover products that are marketed as copiers or upgradeable digital copiers (UDCs).
- Digital Duplicator – A commercially-available imaging product that is sold in the market as a fully-automated duplicator system through the method of stencil duplicating with digital reproduction functionality. The unit must be capable of being powered from a wall outlet or from a data or network connection. This definition is intended to cover products that are marketed as digital duplicators.
- Facsimile Machine (Fax Machine) – A commercially-available imaging product with the primary functions of scanning hard copy originals for electronic transmission to remote units and receiving similar electronic transmissions to produce hard copy output. Electronic transmission is primarily over a public telephone system, but also may be via computer network or the Internet. The product also may be capable of producing hard copy duplicates. The unit must be capable of being powered from a wall outlet or from a data or network connection. This definition is intended to cover products that are marketed as fax machines.
- Mailing Machine – A commercially-available imaging product that serves to print postage onto mail pieces. The unit must be capable of being powered from a wall outlet or from a data or network connection. This definition is intended to cover products that are marketed as mailing machines.
- Multifunction Device (MFD) – A commercially-available imaging product, which is a physically-integrated device or a combination of functionally-integrated components, that performs two or more of the core functions of copying, printing, scanning, or faxing. The copy functionality as addressed in this definition is considered to be distinct from single sheet convenience copying offered by fax machines. The unit must be capable of being powered from a wall outlet or from a data or network connection. This definition is intended to cover products that are marketed as MFDs or multifunction products (MFPs).
- Printer – A commercially-available imaging product that serves as a hard copy output device, and is capable of receiving information from single-user or networked computers, or other input devices (e.g., digital cameras). The unit must be capable of being powered from a wall outlet or from a data or network connection. This definition is intended to cover products that are marketed as printers, including printers that can be upgraded into MFDs in the field.
- Scanner – A commercially-available imaging product that functions as an electro-optical device for converting information into electronic images that can be stored, edited, converted, or transmitted, primarily in a personal computing environment. The unit must be capable of being powered from a wall outlet or from a data or network connection. This definition is intended to cover products that are marketed as scanners.
Marking Technologies
Marking technologies include Direct Thermal, Dye Sublimation, Electrophotography, Impact, Ink Jet, High Performance Ink Jet, Solid Ink, Stencil and Thermal Transfer. A detailed definition for each of these technologies is available in the full specification.
Qualifying Products
This ENERGY STAR specification is intended to cover personal, business, and commercial imaging equipment products but not industrial products (e.g., products directly connected to three phase power).
Energy-Efficiency Specifications
Manufacturers can choose between two ways of determining if their product qualifies for ENERGY STAR: an operational mode approach, in which electricity consumption limits are set up for each operational mode; and a Typical Electricity Consumption (TEC) approach, which is a method of testing and comparing the energy performance of imaging equipment products focusing on the typical electricity consumed by a product while in normal operation during a representative period of time.
The following table summarizes requirements, under the operational mode approach, for a product to qualify for ENERGY STAR.
| IMAGING EQUIPMENT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stand By requirements | Sleep mode requirements for marking engine – depends on size format and marking technology | Maximum Default Delay Time – depends on product speed and size format | |
| Fax machines | 1 W | 1.4 W | 5 min |
|
Multi Functional Devices (MFDs) |
1.4 W to 30 W | 15 to 60 min | |
| Printers | 1.5 W to 15 W | 5 to 60 min | |
| Scanners | 4.3 W (scanning engine) | 15 min | |
| Copiers | 30 W | 30 to 60 min | |
| Mailing machines | 7 W | 20 to 60 min | |
| Note : refer to full program requirements for functional adder allowance. Total consumption would be the sum of standby requirements, sleep requirements for marking / scanning engine, and functional adder* allowance. | |||
* A functional adder is a standard product feature that adds functionality to the base marking engine of an imaging equipment product. (Examples: wireless interfaces; scanning capability).
Under the TEC approach, the maximum TEC in kWh/ week is determined by a formula. There are 14 different formulas to choose from, depending on the type of product, the size format, the marking technology, and the monochrome product speed. Please refer to the full specification for details.
View our list of ENERGY STAR qualified models
List of models: Imaging Equipment (U.S.)
We are currently sharing lists of ENERGY STAR qualified office equipment with ENERGY STAR in the United States. When you click on the link above, you will be taken to a product list on the U.S. ENERGY STAR web site. Many of the products listed are available in Canada.
Making the Right Choice
Copiers
Photocopier modes include standby mode, warm-up mode, printing mode, idling mode, and energy-saver mode. When purchasing a new photocopier, make sure it is equipped with an energy-saver feature.
Different machines using the same technology may have substantially different energy requirements. But, unlike those on computers, printers and fax machines, the power ratings on photocopiers do provide an accurate means of comparing energy consumption.
For the decision-making information to be complete, energy consumption during the work day should also be estimated and evaluated on a per-copy basis.
Other features to look for include:
- Automatic duplexing – the feature that allows for two-sided copying. Since this feature does not reduce actual printing volume, it does not directly save energy, toner or wear and tear on the machine. However, it does significantly reduce paper consumption, which saves you money and helps the environment by reducing the amount of energy and fibre (trees) used for paper production.
- Copy-size reduction. Large originals can be reduced and reprinted on smaller paper. The end result is that less paper and energy are used.
- Pre-programming. This feature allows frequently used settings to be stored in the photocopier for quick and accurate re-use. This can minimize the number of wasted copies that may be made as users adjust the settings to produce their desired output.
- Capability to send large documents from a workstation to the photocopier. Many new photocopiers are connected to a central server. Sending documents to a photocopier to make multiple copies saves energy.
Printers
If you do not require the highest quality or speed, you may not need a printer that uses light and heat in its imaging process – lasers and color inkjet machines. A regular inkjet printer is an excellent alternative, as it produces near-laser quality (but at a slower speed) and uses less energy. For printing draft documents, a dot matrix or impact printer does the job at much less cost than a laser.
When purchasing a printer, look for a model that has an energy-saver feature that significantly reduces the machine's energy consumption in standby mode. This is important, since printers are often idle for long periods but continue to consume energy unless manually turned off. Although a short delay will occur before a print job begins from standby mode, this minor inconvenience is more than offset through energy savings.
It can also be worthwhile to compare nameplate power ratings. Although this is not a precise method of comparison, the large differences in power requirements for certain models can provide a yardstick for measuring relative energy efficiency. Keep in mind that although faster printers have a higher overall energy requirement, they consume less energy per page when printing large volumes. In offices with a heavy printing load, more emphasis should be placed on the machine's power rating during the printing operation. If the printer will sit idle for long periods, its power rating in the idle or energy-saver mode may be more important.
As well, consider a printer that has the capability to print on both sides of the paper. This reduces direct paper costs and the energy use associated with paper production.
Fax machines and scanners
Energy consumption by fax machines is generally measured in four distinct modes: standby, transmitting, receiving and copying. For most machines, electricity requirements may be similar during the transmitting, receiving and copying modes, and significantly reduced in the standby mode.
When purchasing a fax machine or scanner, look for a machine with a standby mode that offers low energy consumption and, preferably, an energy-saver feature.
Comparisons of power ratings can also be useful. In the case of laser machines, for example, an inefficient fax can use as much as 50 percent more energy than an efficient machine.
Multi-function devices
Multi-function devices combine printer, photocopier, scanner and fax technology in a single machine. In so doing, they reduce idle energy costs (only one machine is running, rather than four) and space requirements. They also reduce capital costs, since you will be purchasing one machine instead of four.
When purchasing a multi-function device, make sure it is equipped with an energy-saver feature. Electricity consumption in the energy-saver mode should be at least 50 percent less than in idle mode.
The ENERGY STAR name and symbol is administered and promoted in Canada by Natural Resources Canada.