HomeBrooklyn Bathhouse Heats Pools with Bitcoin Mining ComputersBLOGBrooklyn Bathhouse Heats Pools with Bitcoin Mining Computers

Brooklyn Bathhouse Heats Pools with Bitcoin Mining Computers

A Brooklyn bathhouse, Bathhouse, is at the center of a debate about sustainable practices after revealing it uses Bitcoin mining computers to heat its pools.

The spa leverages the substantial heat generated by these machines, which continuously solve complex mathematical problems to validate Bitcoin transactions. This captured heat efficiently warms the bathhouse’s pools and elegant marble slabs, creating a unique and supposedly sustainable heating solution.

While proponents argue that this method reduces reliance on traditional heating and improves energy efficiency, concerns remain. Critics point out that this approach merely addresses a minor aspect of the broader environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining.

Data centers, particularly those powering cryptocurrency operations, consume vast amounts of energy, often derived from fossil fuels, contributing significantly to carbon emissions.

Several initiatives are underway to mitigate this impact. In Paris, a data center is repurposing its waste heat to warm local buildings, including the Olympic Aquatics Center. Similarly, a British startup, Deep Green, is working to provide data center heating solutions for swimming pools.

These efforts, however, are seen by some as a temporary fix. They argue that the primary focus should be on transitioning to renewable energy sources for all data centers and minimizing the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining itself.

The Bathhouse example highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of this issue. While innovative solutions like utilizing waste heat for productive purposes are commendable, they should not distract from the need for a broader shift towards sustainable and environmentally responsible energy practices across all sectors.

Bathhouse’s journey began in 2019 with conventional electric heaters for its three thermal pools, saunas, steam room, and hammams. However, the high energy consumption led the co-founders to explore alternative heating methods.

In 2021, inspired by a Bitcoin miner who heated their pool with mining rigs, Bathhouse began incorporating this method. They installed ASIC computers, a type of computer specializing in mining, to generate heat for their pools. The company says this method is more energy-efficient than electric heaters and has resulted in some Bitcoin earnings.

Despite the innovation, Bathhouse faces criticism for its reliance on Bitcoin mining, an energy-intensive process. Social media users have expressed concerns about the environmental impact and the source of the mined cryptocurrency.

The debate surrounding Bathhouse underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing innovation with environmental responsibility.