If you're interested in cryptocurrency, such as bitcoin and etherium, and live in a chilly climate, a new device that might help you earn some digital money while it warms your home.
European startup Qarnot is getting ready to roll out its QC-1 room heater, which it says is powered by two GPU digital mining devices. The power the graphical processing units consume while mining digital coins is sufficient, according to the company, to warm a room of about 200 square feet.
The company, which has produced other similar systems to heat larger buildings, designed the QC-1 for homes and small offices.
The 650-watt heater can be set up by any user in 10 minutes, Qarnot says, simply by mounting it on a wall and plugging it in, connecting it to the internet, and entering the desired crypto-wallet address into the radiator's iOS or Android app. On startup, the device selects the most profitable of three current cryptocurrencies. The company can update the heater's software to adapt to changing market conditions.
The mobile app allows users to monitor their digital bankroll, track the device's mining efficiency, and control the heat it produces.
Pricing is set at 2900 euros; Qarnot does not currently accept cryptocurrency itself. The heater comes with a one-year warranty.
Source: "This cryptocurrency mining rig can also heat your home," The Verge (March 9, 2018); "QC-1: The First Crypto Heater," qarnot.com
