Printer Energy Use: What Energy Star Ratings Mean and Why They Matter

What Is ENERGY STAR for Printers?

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program that certifies products meeting strict energy efficiency criteria. For imaging equipment, it covers printers, copiers, scanners, and multifunction devices. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if all imaging equipment in the United States were ENERGY STAR certified, we could prevent 596 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions every year, equal to the emissions from more than 57,000 vehicles.

Certified printers are third-party verified to use up to 35% less energy than conventional equipment. They achieve this by consuming minimal power when active and, more importantly, when idle or in sleep mode. ENERGY STAR certification also requires automatic duplexing, which cuts paper use in half for many documents. Look for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping; it is your guarantee of independent efficiency validation.

How ENERGY STAR Certification Works

The current ENERGY STAR specification for imaging equipment took effect in October 2019. It tailors requirements to each product type and considers the appropriate way to evaluate energy use by use profile and speed. The criteria include a base allowance that limits energy consumption, with additional allowances for features that increase energy demand. This flexible approach ensures that high-speed devices are still held to a fair standard.

Manufacturers must also include certain power management features. For example, devices must be able to enter low-power sleep modes and wake quickly. Automatic duplexing is required for many printer and multifunction categories, because it reduces paper consumption and the associated energy needed to produce and recycle paper. Third-party certification validates that the product meets all these requirements.

You can verify a model's certification using the ENERGY STAR product finder. This tool lets you filter certified imaging equipment by technology, color, print speed, and page size, making it easy to compare efficient options from leading brands like Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, and Xerox.

How to Read Energy Consumption Specs

Printer spec sheets typically list power consumption in watts for different operational states: active printing, standby, and sleep. ENERGY STAR certification guarantees that the product meets certain efficiency limits, but the exact numbers vary between models. When comparing printers, pay close attention to the sleep mode wattage, because most printers spend the majority of their time idle.

Some manufacturers publish 'typical electricity consumption' (TEC) values, which estimate energy use over a defined period of operation. This number gives a more realistic picture of running costs than a single power rating. However, TEC values are not always standardized across brands, so use them as an approximate comparison.

ENERGY STAR also requires that external power supplies meet efficiency standards. If you are selecting a printer for a small office, look for one that automatically enters sleep mode after a short period of inactivity. Many certified devices ship with factory-default power settings that already maximize energy savings, so resist the urge to override them.

Why Efficiency Affects Operating Cost

The operating cost of a printer includes electricity, paper, and consumables like ink or toner. Energy-efficient models reduce electricity bills, especially in offices where printers run regularly. Over a printer's lifetime, the electricity cost can approach the initial purchase price, so efficiency directly affects total cost of ownership.

Certified printers also promote double-sided printing by default, which cuts paper purchases and waste. Paper production and disposal have environmental costs too. By using less paper, you reduce your carbon footprint and save money on supplies. According to ENERGY STAR, the typical office worker uses roughly 10,000 sheets of copy paper every year, and 45% ends up in the recycling bin by the end of the day. That suggests a lot of unnecessary printing.

Efficient sleep modes mean the printer draws little power when not in use, which is particularly important for home offices where the device stays plugged in around the clock. Over years of use, those savings add up.

Energy-Saving Tips From ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR offers practical advice for reducing printer energy and paper use. First, keep your printer's sleep settings at the factory defaults, which are designed to maximize energy savings while still allowing quick wake-up. Many devices return from sleep in just a few seconds, so there is no reason to disable the feature.

Use double-sided printing and image combination modes to reduce the number of pages. If your printer supports it, enable the secure print feature so jobs are not left waiting at the output tray. This prevents forgotten documents from wasting paper and energy.

Consider your print quality settings. Draft mode is sufficient for internal documents and consumes less ink or toner. Also, think before printing: many documents are better stored digitally. When you do print, use the ADF (automatic document feeder) for multi-page scans instead of copying each page individually. These habits lower both energy consumption and material costs.

How to Choose an Efficient Printer

Start by looking for the ENERGY STAR logo on the box or spec sheet. This ensures the printer meets independent efficiency criteria. Next, compare the power consumption in sleep mode and the typical energy use figures provided by the manufacturer.

Decide which features matter most for your workload. Automatic duplexing saves paper and is worth having if you regularly print double-sided documents. Fast wake-up times can also be important in a busy office, reducing the energy wasted while waiting for the printer to become ready.

Our buying guides organize certified models by usage. For a home office, browse the best all-in-one printers. For high-volume monochrome printing, check the best laser printers. If you print photos, the best photo printers highlight color-accurate models. And if you want to minimize paper use, the best duplex printers are preselected for automatic two-sided functionality.

What to pick for your use

Questions

What does Energy Star rating mean for printers?

ENERGY STAR certification is a government-backed mark that indicates a printer meets strict energy efficiency criteria set by the EPA. Certified printers use up to 35% less energy than conventional models and include features like automatic duplexing and low-power sleep modes.

Does Energy Star certification require automatic duplexing?

Yes, for many printer and multifunction categories, the specification mandates automatic duplexing to reduce paper consumption and the energy associated with paper production.

How much electricity does a printer use when sleeping?

Certified printers are required to enter a low-power sleep mode, but the exact wattage varies by model. Spec sheets list sleep mode power consumption, so you can compare numbers before buying.

Can I save energy with my existing printer?

Yes. Keep the factory-default sleep settings, enable double-sided printing, and use draft mode for internal documents. Also, think before printing and use secure print features to avoid forgotten pages.

How do I verify a printer is ENERGY STAR certified?

Look for the ENERGY STAR label on the product or its packaging. You can also search the ENERGY STAR product finder online using the model number.

Are more efficient printers more expensive?

Not necessarily. Many certified models are priced competitively, and the energy savings over the printer's life can offset any initial difference. Focus on long-term electricity and paper savings rather than upfront price.