This page provides acquisition guidance for imaging equipment. Federal laws and requirements mandate that agencies purchase ENERGY STAR®-certified products or Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)-designated products for all covered product categories except as specifically exempted by law.
FEMP's acquisition guidance and ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements apply to printers, digital duplicators, scanners, professional imaging products, multifunction (also known as all-in-one) devices, and mailing machines. Other imaging equipment is excluded, including but not limited to: standalone copiers, fax machines, products designed to operate on three-phase power, and products covered by other ENERGY STAR specifications.
This acquisition guidance was updated in December 2024.
How To Find Product Efficiency Requirements
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides imaging equipment efficiency levels and product specification information on its ENERGY STAR website. Manufacturers meeting these requirements are allowed to display the ENERGY STAR label on complying models.
Imaging equipment must also meet FEMP low standby power requirements. Standby power is the electricity consumed by a product when in the lowest energy consuming mode, which typically occurs when the product is switched off or not performing its primary function. For imaging equipment, buyers can assume all ENERGY STAR-certified products meet FEMP’s Low Standby Power limit of 1 W.
Did you know?
The most effective way to save energy and reduce costs in printers and copiers is to print in duplex mode (i.e., print on both sides of the paper). Look for a model with duplex speed at least 80% as fast as one-sided copying.
How To Determine Cost Effectiveness
An efficient product is cost effective when the lifetime energy savings exceed the up-front cost premium (if any) compared to a less efficient option. You can find more information about determining life cycle cost effectiveness on our general guidance page.
See Table 1 below for an example comparing the life cycle cost savings of a base model (less efficient than the ENERGY STAR required efficiency), a model meeting the ENERGY STAR efficiency and a model with the highest available efficiency.
Example: Color Multifunctional Device (MFD)
FEMP has calculated that an ENERGY STAR-certified color multifunctional device (MFD) meeting the required energy consumption of 18 kWh/year (for a 25 images per minute, standard model) saves money if it costs no more than $34 (in 2023 dollars) above a less efficient model consuming 109 kWh/year. The best available model shown below is cost effective if it costs no more than $36 above the less efficient model (or $2 above the required model).
FEMP has calculated that the required ENERGY STAR-certified imaging equipment saves money if priced no more than $131 (in 2021 dollars) above the less efficient model. The best available model saves up to $134. Table 1 compares three types of product purchases and calculates the lifetime cost savings of purchasing efficient models. Federal purchasers can assume products that meet ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements are life cycle cost-effective.
Table 1. Lifetime Savings for Efficient Imaging Equipment Models
| Model Efficiency Level | Best Available | ENERGY STAR | Less Efficient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Energy Use (kWh) | 13 | 18 | 109 |
| Annual Energy Cost | $1 | $2 | $12 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost | $5 | $7 | $41 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost Savings | $36 | $34 | ====== |
Energy Use and Cost Assumptions
Annual Energy Use: Based on reported values from the ENERGY STAR Qualified Products List (QPL) as of December 2024 and other market data collected by ENERGY STAR for use in their savings calculations. All values were for an electro-photographic color multifunction device with a speed of 25 images per minute, a typical speed in the ENERGY STAR QPL.
Annual Energy Cost: Calculated based on an energy price of 11¢/kWh, which is the average electricity price at federal facilities in the United States as of July 2024. Learn more about Federal Government Energy/Water Use and Emissions data.
Lifetime Energy Cost: Calculated assuming a product life of 4 years, in alignment with ENERGY STAR savings calculations. Used future electricity price trends and a 3% discount rate from Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis – 2024: Annual Supplement to NIST Handbook 135 and NBS Special Publication 709 (NISTIR 85-3273-39)
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings: The difference between the lifetime energy cost of the identified models.
Model Efficiency Levels
Best Available: Based on the model with the lowest energy consumption in the ENERGY STAR Qualified Products List as of December 2024. More efficient models may have entered the market after FEMP's acquisition guidance was created.
ENERGY STAR: Based on ENERGY STAR required energy consumption as of December 2024. Federal agencies must purchase products that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR efficiency levels.
Less Efficient: Based on the model with the highest energy consumption from market data collected by ENERGY STAR for their internal savings calculations. Note energy savings will vary depending on actual usage.
Where To Buy Compliant Products
Buyers can make sure the product they purchase will be compliant by incorporating federal acquisition regulation language into contracts. Compliant products can also be found using federal supply sources and product codes. See our general guidance page for more details on buying compliant energy-using products.
Imaging Equipment Product Codes
The Defense Logistics Agency Environmental Attribute Code (ENAC) identifies items with energy characteristics that meet standards set by an approved third party, such as FEMP and ENERGY STAR. Purchasers can also use a United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC) to identify and buy products and to track purchases.
The UNSPSCs and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) ENACs for imaging equipment are listed in Table 2.
Table 2. Product Codes for Imaging Equipment
| ENERGY STAR Product Category | DLA ENAC | UNSPSC |
|---|---|---|
| Inkjet Printers | LH | 43212104 |
| Laser Printers | LH | 43212105 |
| Digital Duplicators | CZ | 44101505 |
| Scanners | LH | 43211711 |
| Multifunction Devices | LH | 44101503 |
| Mailing Machines | KB | 44102101 |
Other Tips for Choosing and Using the Best Product Efficiently
Tips for Selecting the Best Imaging Equipment
When comparing different types of imaging equipment, it is important to consider how the product’s features affect its energy use and lifetime costs, in addition to other factors.
- Some utilities offer rebates or other incentives for the purchase of ENERGY STAR-certified products. Use the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder to see if your local utility offers these incentives.
- Printing in duplex mode (i.e., print on both sides of the paper) is one of the most effective ways to save energy and costs. Look for a model with duplex speed at least 80% as fast as the one-sided function. Ask your dealer or compare product reviews provided by independent, ISO-certified sources.
- Many products with scanning functions offer duplex scanning. This avoids the extra handling needed to scan a two-sided document. Consider purchasing imaging equipment with this feature.
- Multifunction equipment that combines printing, copying, and scanning along with fax capabilities may be an attractive option especially for space-constrained facilities. However, the fax function often requires that the entire unit remain on at all times, and these devices tend to have higher standby power levels than a fax-only machine. In these situations, consider purchasing dedicated low power fax-only machines.
Tips for Using Imaging Equipment More Efficiently
When used and handled properly, energy-efficient imaging equipment provides years of safe and effective service. To prolong equipment lifetime and reduce energy usage, you should:
- Make sure the power management features are enabled in all imaging equipment at your facility.
- With the exception of devices with a fax-receiving function, manually turn off all imaging equipment at night, on weekends, and on holidays. This saves energy and will not shorten the life of these products.
- Reduce paper wastage and potential overuse of the equipment by making sure the duplexing feature is enabled where available and defaulting all computer workstations to print in duplex mode. You can also inform users about the benefits of reducing paper use, including the fact that more energy is used to make paper than to print on it.