Printing documents and photos at home has become a common necessity. Inkjet printers are one of the most popular options for personal use. However, not many of us think about the energy consumption and costs associated with using this appliance. In this article, we will explore the energy consumption, costs, and provide some tips to save money while using an inkjet printer.
How To Use This Calculator
Using this energy calculator is a simple and will help you determine the costs of running your appliance. Click on ‘Calculate’ to use the predefined values, or enter your daily usage in hours, appliance watts, and your current energy costs in dollars. The calculator will provide you with the daily, monthly, and yearly results. It’s important to ensure the accuracy of the information entered to get the most accurate results.
Hours Used Per Day
Enter the number of hours you estimate the appliance will be on throughout the day. To use fractions of an hour please use a decimal point in the form.
For example: 1 hour and 30 mintes would be 1.5, and 3 hours and 15 minutes would be 3.25
Power Used in Watts
The calculator already includes a default average wattage. If your appliance uses a different wattage then enter it in the calculator.
Your Energy Rate in kWh
The calculator includes an average energy rate (price in $/kWh) to use for the calculation. This may not be the exact price that you’re currently paying for electricity. If you know your energy rate please enter your price per kilowatt-hour.
Energy Consumption
An inkjet printer uses 20 watts of power when it is in use. It may consume more or less energy depending on the model and the print quality. However, the wattage is a good baseline to calculate the energy consumption of this appliance.
To calculate the energy consumption, we multiply the wattage by the number of hours that the printer is used. For example, if you print for 1 hour per day, the energy consumption would be:
Energy Consumption = Wattage x Hours Used
Energy Consumption = 20 watts x 1 hour
Energy Consumption = 0.02 kWh
The energy consumption may seem small for a single-use. However, it can add up quickly if we use the printer for several hours a day, every day.
Why Inkjet Printers Energy Consumption is Relevant Today
The energy consumption of inkjet printers is relevant today because of the increasing concern about climate change and the need to reduce energy consumption. By reducing the energy consumption of our appliances, we can reduce carbon emissions and lower our electricity bills.
Additionally, some countries have implemented energy efficiency regulations for appliances. For example, the European Union has established a label system that rates the energy consumption of appliances. This label helps consumers make informed decisions when purchasing appliances, and it encourages manufacturers to produce energy-efficient products.
Cost in Dollars of Energy Usage
To calculate the cost of energy usage, we multiply the energy consumption by the current energy price. The current energy price is $0.12/kWh, which is a common rate in the United States.
For example, if you print for 1 hour per day, the daily cost would be:
Daily Cost = Energy Consumption x Energy Price
Daily Cost = 0.02 kWh x $0.12/kWhDaily Cost = $0.0024
Monthly Cost = Daily Cost x 30Monthly Cost = $0.072
Yearly Cost = Monthly Cost x 12Yearly Cost = $0.864
The cost may seem small for a single-use, but it adds up quickly. If you print more, the cost will be higher. Fortunately, there are several ways to save money while using an inkjet printer.
Money Saving Tips
- Print in draft mode: The draft mode uses less ink, which helps save money on ink cartridges. Additionally, it can help reduce energy consumption and printing time.
- Print only what you need: It is important to avoid printing unnecessary documents or photos. This not only saves ink and paper but also reduces the energy consumption of the printer.
- Use black and white printing: Printing in color consumes more ink and energy than black and white printing. If the document does not require color, it is better to print in black and white.
- Use a power strip: Connecting the printer to a power strip allows you to turn it off when not in use, which can help reduce energy consumption.
- Recycle ink cartridges: Many ink cartridges can be refilled or recycled, which is a cost-effective way to reduce ink expenses. Some manufacturers have recycling programs that offer discounts or coupons for recycled cartridges.
Conclusion
Inkjet printers are a convenient appliance to have at home, but they can consume a significant amount of energy and money. By being mindful of energy consumption and following some money-saving tips, we can reduce the costs and reduce our carbon footprint.
