Spa uses bitcoin mining to heat water

Bitcoin mining is a process that has caught the attention of many enthusiasts due to its immense computational load. These enthusiasts are finding innovative ways to utilize the excess heat generated by mining for various purposes, ranging from heating hot tubs to office buildings and homes.

One such example is the Bathhouse spa in Brooklyn, where cryptocurrency-mining computers are used to not only generate bitcoins but also to heat the spa’s pools, marble hammams, and showers. When Bathhouse’s cofounder, Jason Goodman, opened the spa’s first location in Williamsburg in 2019, he initially used conventional pool heaters. However, after delving into the world of bitcoin, he realized the potential to incorporate cryptocurrency mining into his business seamlessly. The process of mining involves specialized computers, known as miners, making trillions of guesses per second to earn bitcoins, consuming significant amounts of electricity and producing excess heat in the process.

Goodman recognized the opportunity to harness this heat for practical use in his spa. Bathhouse utilizes six miners, each approximately the size of an Xbox One console, to maintain a hot tub at a comfortable 104 °F. The miners are discreetly hidden away inside tanks immersed in non-conductive oil, which absorbs the heat and is circulated beneath hot tubs and hammams to keep them warm. Additionally, mining boilers are employed to cool the computers by circulating cold water that exits at a scorching 170 °F. Excess heat is stored in a thermal battery for future use, creating a sustainable heating system for the spa.

While Bathhouse’s use of bitcoin miners for heat does not significantly save energy compared to conventional water heating methods, it is an innovative way to repurpose the excess heat generated by mining. This trend of using cryptocurrency mining for heating purposes is not limited to Bathhouse. In Finland, Marathon Digital Holdings repurposed fleets of bitcoin miners into a district heating system for homes. HeatCore in China uses bitcoin mining to heat commercial buildings and pools for fish farming, with plans to expand into heating seawater for desalination.

Despite the potential benefits of using bitcoin mining for heat, concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of this practice. The energy consumption of bitcoin transactions is substantial, equivalent to that of an average US household for over 47 days. Bitcoin mining consumes a considerable amount of energy, leading to environmental concerns. Even with the incorporation of renewable energy sources, mining continues to utilize valuable resources that could be redirected to meet existing energy needs.

For enthusiasts like Goodman, the idea of relaxing in bitcoin-heated water represents a unique blend of relaxation, sustainability, and economic innovation. While the future of heating with cryptocurrency remains uncertain, the current trend showcases the potential for creative and sustainable solutions to utilize excess heat generated by bitcoin mining.