EPA Revises Standards for Imaging Equipment

May 10, 2006 12:44 PM

A typical home office with a fax, printer, copier and scanner is projected to save more than $300 over the life of the products thanks to new Energy Star specifications for imaging equipment. For the first time, the specifications cover energy use when the product is in use as well as in standby.

"We are pleased to bring increased energy efficiency to this set of everyday products," said William Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for Air and Radiation. "We applaud the industry for their commitment to Energy Star and their leadership in making these products more efficient."

The new specifications were developed because market research showed that technology had evolved in response to the Energy Star program, raising new opportunities to improve efficiency. EPA is challenging manufacturers to continue to make progress in developing energy efficient products for consumers. On average, Energy Star qualifying imaging equipment will be 30% more efficient than conventional models. The revisions to the specifications will save consumers more than $3 billion over the next five years and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the emissions of more than four million cars.

Imaging equipment uses a sizable amount of energy across the United States. This year, approximately 275 million imaging equipment products will consume more than $3.6 billion in energy each year, accounting for 2% of total electricity expenditures.

Under the updated specifications, only the most energy-efficient of today's imaging products will earn the Energy Star, representing the top of their class. These new specifications are scheduled to go into effect on April 1, 2007, pending adoption by the European Commission. For further information on new imaging equipment specifications see http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=archives.img_equip_spec

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