Energy, water & efficiency

Compare the correct ENERGY STAR measurement

ENERGY STAR imaging equipment criteria use different measurement approaches for different printer technologies and sizes. Laser office printers and multifunction devices may use Typical Electricity Consumption, while many home inkjet devices use Operational Mode criteria. A label is useful for comparing qualifying products under the program method, but the numbers are not interchangeable across categories.

Look up the exact model in the ENERGY STAR product finder and preserve its measurement type. Do not compare an inkjet’s operational-mode result with a laser’s weekly consumption figure as though they used the same test.

Use duplex and page layout to reduce paper

Automatic duplex printing and multiple-pages-per-sheet can reduce paper use when the document remains readable. ENERGY STAR imaging equipment guidance notes duplex and image-combination features as paper-saving functions. Check whether duplex is supported for the printer’s speed and media; heavy stock or some sizes may require single-sided output.

For forms and records, confirm the back side remains legible and pages stay in the correct order. A paper-saving setting should not compromise a required original or legal copy.

Use sleep and auto-off settings with workload in mind

Printers may enter sleep or lower-power modes after inactivity. Set a delay that balances energy use with the need to print quickly. A network printer may take longer to wake, and an auto-off mode can require a manual power-on. Check the model’s settings and the organization’s workflow before shortening the delay.

ENERGY STAR product criteria include power management; exact behavior varies by model. Do not promise a specific saving without a usage measurement.

Account for print technology and duty cycle

Laser printers can use more energy during warm-up and fuser operation; inkjet printers may draw power during printhead servicing and startup. Compare under representative use, including color, duplex, and sleep periods. A printer that handles high volume may have a different weekly profile than an occasional home device.

Keep computer, router, scanner, and external finishers separate from the printer’s energy figure. The label describes the printer under program conditions, not the full office.

Balance sleep settings with availability

An office printer may wake slowly from a deep sleep, while a home printer that is rarely used can spend long periods idle. Test the documented sleep delay and auto-off options with the people and software that send jobs. Confirm whether network wake and scan-to-email remain available when the printer sleeps. If the printer fails to wake from a queued job, restore the previous delay and consult support. Energy labels use standardized methods; your actual daily schedule can differ. Record idle time and print volume before claiming that a setting reduced usage.

For a shared printer, make sure sleep settings do not disable a workflow that depends on wake-on-network, fax reception, or scan-to-email. Check the manual and test those functions before deploying the setting widely.

If a printer supports automatic duplex, enable it only for documents where two-sided output is appropriate. Check the page order with a short test; paper savings should not create unusable records.