Photo Credit: Heatbit
A new water heater add-on offers households the prospect of bitcoin earnings from the electricity used to warm their tanks. While Heatbit is taking preorders for the device, however, the company's own terms say mining earnings could amount to zero.
Here's what to know
According to Gadget Review, Bitwater uses specialized bitcoin-mining chips in place of a conventional electric water heater element. The outlet cited Crypto Briefing's reporting for the preorder launch on Oct. 22 and an estimated first-quarter 2027 start for deliveries.
The tank water acts as a coolant for the chips and captures their heat for household use. The chips generate that heat while performing SHA-256 computations.
Heatbit advertises a mining rate of up to 34 terahashes per second at an efficiency of 12 joules per terahash, Crypto Briefing reported. Those figures imply a peak electrical draw of approximately 408 watts.
Gadget Review said a brief that it received listed power configurations between 1,500 and 4,500 watts and specified a standard NPT fitting measuring 1.5 inches.
Heatbit has not announced a retail price.
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More background
The potential payout varies with local electricity rates, internet connectivity, and operating time as well as bitcoin's price, mining-network difficulty, and mining-pool fees.
Bitwater joins other heat-reuse mining equipment, including space heaters and hydronic systems intended for commercial buildings. Its approach places mining hardware inside an existing household water tank, directing heat into the water rather than relying on fans to carry it away.
What can be done?
Anyone replacing an electric tank's heating element must isolate the power, depressurize the tank, and follow applicable codes when reconnecting it. The job carries electrical and plumbing hazards.
Gadget Review reports that Heatbit's terms recommend a licensed professional for owners who lack the necessary equipment and expertise. Installation adds to a buyer's budget, as the device requires installation work rather than simply plugging it into a wall outlet.
Before committing, prospective buyers should confirm that Bitwater works with their specific tank and thermostat, meets local electrical requirements, and preserves the tank's original warranty.
Under Heatbit's refund policy, claimants may need to submit pictures showing the installed equipment or a bill issued by their installer.
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