Bitcoin Mining Rig Warm Air Experience

We recently acquired a Bitcoin Mining Rig heater and are using it for office heating. In the long run, this device that integrates mining and heating functions may become an area worth paying attention to. As the lifespan of dedicated integrated circuits (ASIC) increases and production costs decrease, heating application scenarios may become economically viable in the Bitcoin mining industry. Theoretically, if heating is needed regardless, then the energy efficiency of mining can reach 100%, with operational energy costs being zero.

The current challenge is that ordinary non-mining heating machines have a lifespan of 10-15 years, while Bitcoin mining rigs are updated relatively quickly. At the same time, the production costs of ASICs are high, and only continuous mining can recover the investment. However, as the rate of improvement in ASIC efficiency slows down, it is possible that ASICs with an economic lifespan of up to 10 years may emerge in the future. With the reduction of technological risks, production costs will also decrease. At that time, it may become feasible to integrate Bitcoin mining with heating equipment, such as for swimming pools, commercial boilers, household boilers, and commercial and residential electric heating systems.

The device we are using has a maximum mining power of 400W. If more heat is needed, the heating power can be increased to 1400W, with an additional 1000W used solely for heating and not for mining.

The initial impression is that this device is essentially an old model Bitcoin Mining Rig, housed in a beautifully crafted round steel casing, with fan noise smaller than that of professional Mining Rigs. It is designed to be a consumer-friendly device, possibly competing with high-end home appliance brands, rather than targeting Bitcoin enthusiasts.

The main drawback we found is that, although it is possible to remotely monitor the device through the mobile application, it seems that remote control is not available. Considering that the device needs to be connected to the internet for mining, adding remote control functionality seems very necessary. In addition, compared to high-end brands in the same price range, the display and control panel design of this device is somewhat clunky. Another downside is the inability to choose a mining pool, which limits users' customization options.

In terms of performance, the noise level we tested was 55.8 decibels, higher than the claimed 40 decibels, but still much quieter than the average ASIC Mining Rig (, which is about 80 decibels ). The device consumes about 440W in mining-only mode, slightly higher than the app's reported 400W. The app shows a hash rate of about 10 TH/s, but we cannot verify this data as we cannot view the mining pool settings. The mining energy efficiency is about 40 J/Th, equivalent to the top ASIC level released in the first quarter of 2020.

Considering the cost of electricity for commercial use, simply using a Mining Rig may not be profitable. However, if used only when heating is needed, the actual electricity cost becomes zero, making mining potentially economically viable after deducting equipment costs. Compared to a regular electric heater, this device is priced about $800 higher, requiring several years of mining earnings to make up the price difference. Compared to high-end air purifiers in the same price range, this device is slightly lacking in appearance and functionality, but being able to mine Bitcoin can be seen as an economic advantage.

For tech startups in cold regions, this product may be attractive. From a tax perspective, companies might be able to treat equipment costs and energy costs as legitimate expenses, while individuals retain the mined Bitcoins, but this needs further confirmation of its compliance. Overall, this is an interesting product, and we will continue to monitor its development.