How Long Do Copiers Last Before Becoming Outdated?

Copiers are quite durable and will therefore last a long time before becoming outdated. The average lifespan of a high-quality copy machine is five years. Depending on how well you take care of it and how often you use it, some models can even last for up to 10 years!

Companies that produce photocopiers often guarantee their products will last for at least seven years, however, this number might vary widely across different models. As with most things, though, there is more to the story. That’s because selecting the best copier for your purposes and taking good care of it both significantly increase its longevity.

Heavy use can reduce the lifespan of a freestanding copier to around three years. After this period, problems can start happening more frequently. In the main, the average lifespan of a regular-use, free-standing copier appears to be around five years.

Your copier’s longevity is ultimately determined by a number of factors. Countless aspects come into play, and most are entirely within your control, from the general quality of the system to prioritising regular maintenance to crucial security measures. Copying technology has come a long way in the last several decades, and today’s multifunction copiers, laser printer/copier combos, and even basic scanners with copying capabilities are all works of art.

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How is the copier’s longevity determined?

There is an expected lifespan listed for every product. However, in the copier industry, the number of “clicks,” or individual pages printed or duplicated, each month is used to estimate a machine’s lifespan.

A larger and more powerful machine can usually withstand more clicks than a smaller and more delicate one.  On the other hand, if you use a simple tool for more than it was intended, you may subject it to unnecessary stress and wear.

Business-grade copiers, which are the most common models, are made to make at least 1,000 copies per month. High-end machines can make as many as 50,000 copies each month. Even though your copier’s maximum monthly duty cycle tells you how many pages you can copy per month, you shouldn’t copy that many pages if you want it to last as long as possible. If your copier’s specifications list an “optimum zone” or a “recommended monthly volume for best performance,” use that number instead of the “maximum,” which tends to give inflated numbers. Running your copier at maximum speeds all the time is not the best way to use it.

Furthermore, the greater the power of your system, the higher the price tag will be. It is crucial to select a device that is well-suited to your demands and those of your company. Although the initial investment may be more, it will certainly be worthwhile if your business requires a high print run.

Maintenance

 

If you want a machine to endure over the long haul, you can’t just put it up once and then ignore it. Regular and preventative maintenance must be performed, even if you never go over your monthly click limit, so make sure you or your managed print service team does this. There will be an in-device notification to let you know when assistance is required.

As an added precaution, wherever possible, whether for routine upkeep or an unforeseen repair, it is recommended to use components and supplies made by and approved by the original manufacturer.

 

Brand and model

 

The brand, model, and design of your copier all contribute to how long it will last you. When it comes to predicting how long a particular copier will last, there are no ironclad guidelines.

How can you tell your copier is old?

 

Find out how much the copier has been used first. A standard number of productive hours per year is specified by most copier manufacturers. However,  nothing lasts forever. A copier that has been used rarely over the course of two years will be in much better form and have much more life remaining than one that has been used almost nonstop between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm, five days a week.

Next, check to see if it can keep up with the constant demand for copies and prints. Copying and printing requirements will evolve as organizations expand. So, if your business has been expanding rapidly, you could outgrow a standard copier. If the demands of the organization or individual who owns or rents the copier are particularly stringent, even a relatively recent copier may be regarded as outdated.

In addition to the brand, model, and duty cycle, how long your copier lasts depends a lot on how often you use it and how well you take care of it. Because of this, the expected life of each copy machine is different. A refurbished copier that is two years old may still have up to eight years of life, but in general, refurbished copiers don’t survive as long as new copiers do. Large copiers and other office machinery are accepted by recyclers around the country, and some copier makers even accept their own products for recycling when they reach the end of their useful life.