News for Release: Monday, May
8, 2006
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
A Better Image with Less Energy
Contact: Roxanne Smith, (202) 564-4355 / smith.roxanne@epa.gov
(Washington, D.C. - May 8, 2006) 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 percent more
efficient than conventional models. The revisions to the 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 two percent 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. EPA first allowed imaging equipment
to earn the Energy Star in 1993.
Products that have earned the Energy Star save energy and prevent greenhouse gas
emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. Last year alone,
Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $12 billion on their energy bills
and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 23 million
vehicles.
Information on new imaging equipment specifications:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=archives.img_equip_spec
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