Heatbit, a two-year-old startup, has introduced a new space heater that not only provides warmth to a room but also mines bitcoin. The device, which resembles a high-end space heater, uses integrated circuitry to process bitcoin transactions and perform trillions of calculations per second. This activity generates bitcoin rewards through the use of a bitcoin mining pool, as well as heating your space. According to the company’s website, the heat generated by the device is enough to warm a space of up to 500 square feet.
While the idea of a mining heater may seem novel, Heatbit is not the first company to attempt such a product. Four years ago, French startup Qarnot released the QC1, a “crypto heater” optimized for mining Ethereum. However, it is unclear if the QC1 was ever commercialized.
Heatbit has already sold nearly 1,000 units of its mining heater globally and is now planning a wider rollout. The device is compatible with WiFi and has a sleek, multi-colored design. With a $1,200 price tag, it may be a deterrent for some consumers. However, according to Heatbit co-founder Alex Busarov, the device is comparable in price to other high-end heaters on the market and has the added benefit of putting money back in the consumer’s pocket through the mining of bitcoin.
In a time when energy costs are on the rise, the potential to offset some of those expenses with the Heatbit mining heater may be a tempting prospect for some. While the upfront cost may be a bit steep, the long-term financial benefits could potentially make the investment worth it for those interested in both staying warm and mining bitcoin.
~ Wolf
