Bitcoin mining heats water in Brooklyn Bathhouse, users flip out

A bathhouse in Brooklyn, New York, has left users on Instagram and Twitter divided after it revealed that it is utilizing Bitcoin (BTC) mining rigs to warm its spa.In a June 21 Instagram post, Bathhouse discussed it is running Bitcoin mining rigs at its area in Brooklyn, which generates heat as a by-product. In the post, it explained in 3 actions how the heat is taken by heat exchangers and used to heat up the places pools via a circulating system.Bitcoin mining is the process of producing valid blocks that add deal records to Bitcoins public journal, which is called a blockchain. Bitcoin mining takes in a considerable amount of energy, typically sourced from fossil fuels. This contributes to carbon emissions and raised concerns about its ecological footprint.In January 2022, a report estimated that the Bitcoin mining network gives off 42 megatons of co2, accounting for 0.08% of the worlds total production.Instagram users who follow the Bathhouse account werent all sold on the idea. One user who identifies as Annalarranaga posted, “This makes me like Bathhouse less. Now Im concerned about who is mining this cryptocurrency, who is benefiting from it, and whether I support that. Were gon na need some transparency.” Screenshot of comments on Bathhouses Instagram post. Source: InstagramAnother user further declared that Bathhouse consumers “want pure, unadulterated heat for their salt baths, not that unclean byproduct heat.” On the other hand, some reveled in the contempt users had for the mining-heated swimming pools, while a minimum of one appeared happy with them, stating, “I for one believe this is an excellent method to warm the pools and will check this location out since of this.” Screenshot of comments about Bathhouses bitcoin-mining swimming pool heating. Source: TwitterDespite Bathhouses specific example of carbon-neutral Bitcoin mining, the impact of Bitcoin mining on the environment stays a significant concern for some, leading to unfavorable reactions from them.Related: CleanSpark purchases two Bitcoin mining campuses for $9.3 MThis, however, isnt the very first time Bitcoin mining heat has been repurposed to save energy. In Europe, miners have designed innovative ways of recycling the heat produced by fixing valid Bitcoin blocks. In Norway, Bitcoin miner and data center Kryptovault utilizes the hot air generated by Bitcoin mining rigs to dry sliced logs.Magazine: Inside the Iranian Bitcoin mining industry