How one small change can have a positive impact on the road to net zero
Epson joined forces with experts at the University of Cambridge in a piece of research to better understand how printing can play its part in reducing the impact of global warming.
The research identified that to keep the world on track to achieve a net zero carbon future, the energy consumed globally by all appliances must fall on average by approximately 25% from 2020 levels by 2030, and 40% by 2050. It also revealed that a worldwide switch across all laser and inkjet models would cut energy emissions by 52.6% and that inkjet technology can be up to 90% more energy efficient than laser technology depending on the type of printer.
Read the Report
Turn down the heat
Through a custom content campaign produced by National Geographic CreativeWorks, Epson is raising awareness around how conserving heat is a great way to minimize our impact on the environment. In the words of National Geographic Explorer Katey Walter Anthony, “Choosing Heat-Free technology to lower energy consumption will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help us slow permafrost thaw in the Arctic.”
Printing process comparison
Laser and inkjet printers may look the same on the outside. But it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Epson’s Heat-Free Technology does not require heat in the ink ejection process. Instead pressure is applied to the Piezo element, which flexes backwards and forwards firing the ink from the printhead.
The benefits of Heat-Free Technology
Increase productivity and reduce environmental impact without compromise.
- Less power consumption saves energy and money
Epson’s Heat Free-Technology uses up to 83% less energy (1), because it does not use heat to warm up, as inkjets have no fuser unit to heat up; this results in significantly less power consumption - Fewer replacement parts, lower environmental impact
Laser printers typically have more consumables and require periodic replacement of the drum, transfer belt and fuser in many cases. Thanks to Heat-Free Technology, our inkjet printers produce up to 96% fewer used consumables than laser printers (2) - Save time with consistent high-speed printing
Heat-Free Technology requires no heat to warm up, when it is switched on or awoken from sleep. This means you can start printing immediately, making it up to 50% faster from ready, compared to laser printers (3) - Less intervention increases productivity
The Heat-Free structure of Epson inkjet printers means that there are fewer parts that can fail, which reduces the amount of intervention required
CO2 and Electricity
In independent tests, Epson’s WorkForce Pro models used up to 83% less energy than lasers and laser copiers.
¹ Based on Epson calculations, the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-C8190DW uses 83% less energy than the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M750dn, the highest-selling model in the A3 colour single-function 21-30ppm printer segment (IDC, Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, Q4 2015 to Q3 2019 shipments, published Q2 2020). Methodology based on ‘Typical Energy Consumption’, defined under and/or simulated with reference to the ENERGY STAR test procedure and presented in kWh per year. CO₂ saving calculated as being proportional to energy saving, based on a per-territory average generation of kg CO₂ per kWh electricity used.
² Storage space comparison based on Epson calculations of storage space requirements for packaged consumables sufficient to print 6,000 pages on 12 SFP and MFP (3-in-1) printers selected from among the top-selling 50% of A4 monochrome laser printers (below-20ppm class) listed in IDC Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker 2019 Q2 data FY17 results. Average toner package unit volumes and yields for each model were calculated by Epson using toner package dimensions and yields published by the manufacturer for each model (as of August 2019). Actual size and number of toner cartridges required varies by laser printer model. EcoTank consumables quoted yields are simulated figures calculated by Epson based on ISO/IEC24711 methodology using ISO/IEC19752 test pat.
³ Based on Epson calculations, Epson business inkjet time-saving calculated by comparison to business laser devices’ average lowest “Print/Copy time” (“from Previous Job”, “from Ready State” or “from Sleep State”) as reported by ENERGY STAR, added to the time taken to print at maximum speed the remaining pages in an average sized office print job and multiplied by the average number of print jobs per year, according to Keypoint Intelligence. Laser printer models identified using IDC, Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, Q3 2016 to 2020 Q2 shipments, published Q2 2020.