For Organisations
How to save energy on your photocopiers, faxes and printers
Note: Sustainability Unit measurements have found that most photocopiers and printer "Power Saving" functions and buttons save little energy. We do not recommend that Power Saving buttons be used as little energy is saved, productivity losses can be significant and resulting frustration can affect overall attitudes to energy conservation.
Turn off equipment after hours
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However, after hours, photocopiers and printers should be manually switched off at the machine or the power point or plug-in 7 day time switches (costing approximately $30) can be supplied by the Sustainability Unit for NT Government equipment. We also have signs that can be used to explain time switch over ride functions to staff.
- Organise members of a small group of people to each 'adopt-a-photocopier' (or printer) and turn them off manually at the power point at the end of each day. Signs should remind after hours users to switch off equipment again when they have finished using them.
- These timers have an over-ride button for after hours equipment use and a sign is needed to remind after hours users to switch the timer back to automatic when they have finished (otherwise the over-ride may stay activated permanently or until the next programmed "off" time depending on the model).
- Save energy: use plug-in timers
- Energy consumption of office equipment
An easy to use power meter is available should you want to check the actual power consumption of your equipment. This meter and further information on ways to save energy can be obtained from Sustainability Unit.
Purchase carefully
Consideration of energy consumption when making purchasing decisions is critical. Careful purchasing can make a big difference. The energy consumption of different models and brands of equipment operating in different modes varies greatly. Some even turn themselves off to 0 Watts and need no extra help from us ! When purchasing new equipment you can try to get power use information from potential suppliers or check the USA Environmental Protection Authority web site which lists the 'sleep' and 'off' mode consumption of models available in the USA.
Justify the number of photocopiers, faxes and printers
Whilst efficient work practices require a certain number of photocopiers, faxes and printers in a workplace, the number of items switched on each day should periodically be reviewed. For example, if a new printer is to be purchased dispose of an old one at the same time.
Note colour printers and photocopiers are high energy users.
A single, multi-purpose item of office equipment (combined fax, photocopier and printer) is more efficient than two or three separate units.
Use paper wisely
Office equipment uses more energy when printing and photocopying than when idle. In this electronic age there is less need for paper copies of documents and reducing printing needs saves paper and energy. Functions such as 'Track Changes' in Word (found under the Tools menu) reduce the need for printing out draft copies of documents to review. By selecting the 'Track Changes' option to highlight changes made, any changes made by someone reviewing the document will be highlighted and allow the author to accept or reject each change. Word uses different colours to highlight the changes of different people reviewing the document.
Duplexing features on photocopiers and printers can be used to to save resources. Using both sides of paper reduces the amount of paper wasted and saves money. Some fax machines can even scan double-sided documents.
Scrap paper can be placed in one tray of printers and photocopiers so that new paper is not wasted for printing/copying draft documents. You could also consider using recycled paper.
Energy expended in the creation of paper (embodied energy) is saved through these practices and wise use of paper will allow a few more trees to grow old, be homes for critters and absorb carbon dioxide.