COnlying the number of always connected appliances, hi-tech devices for those who work in Smart Workingthe air conditioners that are 24 hours a day in the summer, the home electricity grid is increasingly under stress and the blackout risk is always around the corner.
Working from home is comfortable, flexible and apparently sustainable. But behind the convenience of the Smart Working he hides The often underestimated cost of the energy bill. With 3.75 million workers remotely in Italy, an increase of 5% compared to 3.55 million in 2024 (source: Smart Working Observatory of the Polytechnic of Milan), the impact on domestic consumption comes to the amount a about 1,200 euros per family, becoming a significant voice in the family budget.
According to the data of Altroconsumo, each station of Home Office consumes on average 3.2 kWh per day. With an average cost of electricity of 0.16 €/kWh, this translates into about 0.51 euros per day for each smart working day. Multiplying by 9 days a month of remote work of large companies, you reach over 4.60 euros more per month only for the direct consumption of the work station, equal to 55 euros per year. And these numbers concern only the home office station, without considering Heating, prolonged lighting and secondary devices.
But The cost is not only cheap. Each kwh consumed generates 0.256 kg of c2 -cultivated for millions of workers remotely, The environmental impact is significant: over 3 million tons of additional CO2 per year only for smart working.
Energy self -sufficiency within everyone’s reach
Energy self -sufficiency is no longer a luxury for a few or a green pioneer habit: It is a concrete necessity to today’s needs. At a time when the cost of energy has returned to rise, also due to the geopolitical tensions and the heat waves that push the demand to the historic maximums, they can be taken into consideration Alternative (or supplementary) and accessible solutions. And that do not occupy too much space.
Let’s talk about Kit for domestic photovoltaiccapable of producing electricity to reduce the cost of bill And don’t stay in the dark. Considering that Italian domestic consumption have grown by 60% in the last five years and, during the hottest hours, the blackouts have increased by 40% (source: Istat Report on inflation, May-June 2025), having a device of this type on the balcony of the house allows you to save up to 1109 euros in the bill and not to worry about any Electric network interruptions.
How much it occupies and how a domestic photovoltaic kit works
“A balcony photovoltaic kit allows you to effectively cover daily consumption peaks, reduce dependence on the electrical network and at the same time contribute to environmental sustainability, thanks to the self -consumption of solar energy.
The requested space is minimal: they are generally enough Two photovoltaic panels and a storage battery To feed small appliances such as lamps, audio, projectors or refrigerators. Modular design allows you to start in small e expand the system progressively based on the available space and energy needs. In other words, even a small city balcony can become a small photovoltaic power plant », he explains Yuchen Zhao, General Manager of Ecoflow Europe.
What if you don’t have a balcony? «Even without balcony you can use a photovoltaic kit. For example, the Ecoflow Stream series offers great installation flexibility: it can be positioned On roofs, terraces, courtyards or external walls. The only requirement is a good sun exposure to ensure maximum efficiency, “continues Zhao.
Pros and cons
«The balcony photovoltaic kit has several advantages: simple and flexible installation, lower cost, possibility of expansion according to the needs of the family. Compared to large photovoltaic systems, they are more suitable for families who want to start immediately to Reduce the bill and carbon footprint».
«The only limit is the maximum power power established by the regulationswhich in Italy is fixed less than 800 W. However, the Ecoflow Stream batteries are equipped with an integrated CA socket that allows you to directly power the appliances up to 2300 W, thus overcoming this limitation “, continues the General Manager.
Little maintenance
«These systems require very little maintenance. It is sufficient to periodically clean the solar panels to avoid dust. Batteries and inverters are designed to last over time and include systems of Intelligent monitoring via app, which allow you to control its state in real time. For example, the Ecoflow Stream battery lasts up to 15 years without the need for particular interventions, “concludes Zhao.