Bitcoin Mining Heater Office Experience: Innovation and Challenges Coexist

In our office, we introduced a Bitcoin mining heater called Heatbit Trio. This innovative device that combines mining and heating has sparked our thoughts on the future of energy utilization. With advancements in Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) technology, its lifespan has extended and production costs have decreased, making the combination of mining and heating potentially economically viable in the Bitcoin industry. Theoretically, if there is an inevitable demand for heating, this combination could make the energy efficiency of mining approach 100%, achieving zero operational energy costs.

However, this type of equipment still faces some challenges. The lifespan of a regular heater is typically 10 to 15 years, while the technology of Bitcoin mining machines updates very quickly. The high production costs of ASICs require the equipment to run continuously to gain returns, not just during the heating season. However, in the long run, due to physical limitations, the efficiency improvements of ASICs may slow down, allowing these devices to operate economically for a longer time. At the same time, as technology matures, production costs are expected to decrease. These factors may ultimately make it feasible to integrate Bitcoin mining with heating equipment, for example, applied to swimming pools, commercial boilers, home boilers, and commercial and residential electric heating systems.

The Heatbit device we use can mine at a maximum power of 400W, while also being able to increase the heating power to 1,400W, with an additional 1,000W used solely for heating and not for mining. This flexibility allows the device to adjust its operating mode based on actual needs.

After initial use, we found that this device essentially encases an old Bitcoin mining machine in a sleek round steel shell, with fan noise that is lower than that of professional mining machines. Its design goal is to be a consumer-friendly device, potentially competing more with brands like Dyson rather than targeting Bitcoin enthusiasts.

However, we have also identified some shortcomings. Although it is possible to remotely monitor the device through the mobile app, it seems that remote control is not available, which is an important feature missing. Compared to high-end heating products, the display and control panel design of Heatbit appears somewhat outdated. In addition, users cannot freely choose mining pools, which limits the flexibility of the device.

In terms of performance, our tests found that the device's noise level is approximately 55.8 decibels, which is higher than the officially claimed 40 decibels, but still far lower than the approximately 80 decibels of ordinary ASIC Mining machines. The device's power consumption in mining-only mode is about 440W, with a hash rate of approximately 10 TH/s and energy efficiency of about 40 J/TH, which is comparable to top ASICs from early 2020.

From an economic perspective, considering the cost of electricity for commercial use, using it solely as a mining machine may lead to losses. However, if it is only used when heating is needed, the electricity cost is effectively zero, which makes mining potentially economically viable after deducting the equipment costs. However, compared to ordinary electric heaters or high-end air purifiers, Heatbit does not have a significant price advantage.

Overall, this is an interesting innovative product, especially suitable for technology companies located in cold regions with ample funds. Although there are still some shortcomings in terms of economy and functionality, with advancements in technology and improvements in energy utilization efficiency, this type of device that combines Mining and heating may find broader application in the future. We will continue to monitor the developments in this field and look forward to seeing more innovations and improvements.