Energy consumption in standby mode – How economical are printers really?

The Myth: “Standby Doesn’t Use Much Power Anyway!”

“My printer’s off – it’s just in standby.”

A classic statement. Sounds logical. But often, it’s only half the story.

What many people don’t realize:
Standby doesn’t mean “off” – and some printers quietly consume more energy than you’d expect.

The Hard Truth: 5 Watts a Day Doesn’t Sound Like Much – But It Adds Up

A typical office multifunction printer consumes around 3 to 10 watts in standby mode. Sounds harmless? Let’s do the math:

Example:

• 5 watts × 24 hours × 365 days = 43.8 kWh/year

• At €0.35 per kWh = around €15.30/year – just in standby!

And that’s per device. In an office with several printers, this adds up quickly.

How Much Power Do Printers Use?

Further reading:

• Are refill and rebuild toners sustainable?

• Recycling toner cartridges – what it's really like

• Are printers harmful to the environment?

Also read:
"Using compatible toner destroys your printer" – but is that really true?

Marcus Seitz

Media computer scientist with 13 years of experience in printer technology, sales & consulting. Expert in compatible toner solutions and cost-effective printing.

Fun fact: I’ve tested hundreds of printers – and sometimes find the inner workings of a laser printer more exciting than an action movie.

More about me | Get in touch