3 ms·

Old desktops with Boinc running 24/7 make an useful alternative to direct electric heating. Of course a heat pump is more efficient, but not everyone has that.

tombert 3y ago
I have a central heat pump in my house, but it doesn't heat the basement very well. My solution for awhile was to run Folding@home on my server, since I figure pretty much every computer is a 100% efficient heater as well. I eventually stopped because I work in my basement and the server was way too loud when running at full load, but it did a reasonably good job keeping my desk area nice and toasty.
wolverine876 3y ago
How efficient is Boinc as a heating application? It's an important part of calcuating its climate impact. Also, why old desktops only? Won't a brand new desktop running at 100% generate plenty of heat? Isn't the difference merely calculations per W?
- junon 3y ago
  Electronics do not move the needle at all when it comes to climate impact (in terms of heat dissipation). It's where the electricity is sourced that's the problem.
  - Aachen 3y ago
    I think everyone understands it to mean that
  - wolverine876 3y ago
    I understand that; I didn't express my question clearly: Given the electricity used, how efficient are (Boinc + my desktop) at generating heat? For example, is it equally efficient to use Boinc + Desktop to warm my office as it is to use a space heater, or electrical radiated heat?
    - two_handfuls 3y ago
      It’s 100% efficient. All of the power is transformed into heat.
    - samatman 3y ago
      Thermodynamic efficiency is work/heat, so 0%. But you want the heat, so it's ideal. Electricity goes in, heat comes out. One man's trash is another's treasure. The circle of life.
    - NortySpock 3y ago
      A computer consuming 500 watts of power and an electric heater consuming 500 watts of power are equivalent. Therefore, I think it's perfectly reasonable to run BOINC to warm your office.
      - ragebol 3y ago
        If the goal is heating, you'd be better off with a heat pump, to get 300% or more of the input energy back as heat. Doesn't do computation as a side effect though.

tombert 3y ago

I have a central heat pump in my house, but it doesn't heat the basement very well. My solution for awhile was to run Folding@home on my server, since I figure pretty much every computer is a 100% efficient heater as well. I eventually stopped because I work in my basement and the server was way too loud when running at full load, but it did a reasonably good job keeping my desk area nice and toasty.

wolverine876 3y ago

How efficient is Boinc as a heating application? It's an important part of calcuating its climate impact. Also, why old desktops only? Won't a brand new desktop running at 100% generate plenty of heat? Isn't the difference merely calculations per W?

junon 3y ago
Electronics do not move the needle at all when it comes to climate impact (in terms of heat dissipation). It's where the electricity is sourced that's the problem.
- Aachen 3y ago
  I think everyone understands it to mean that
- wolverine876 3y ago
  I understand that; I didn't express my question clearly: Given the electricity used, how efficient are (Boinc + my desktop) at generating heat? For example, is it equally efficient to use Boinc + Desktop to warm my office as it is to use a space heater, or electrical radiated heat?
  - two_handfuls 3y ago
    It’s 100% efficient. All of the power is transformed into heat.
  - samatman 3y ago
    Thermodynamic efficiency is work/heat, so 0%. But you want the heat, so it's ideal. Electricity goes in, heat comes out. One man's trash is another's treasure. The circle of life.
  - NortySpock 3y ago
    A computer consuming 500 watts of power and an electric heater consuming 500 watts of power are equivalent. Therefore, I think it's perfectly reasonable to run BOINC to warm your office.
    - ragebol 3y ago
      If the goal is heating, you'd be better off with a heat pump, to get 300% or more of the input energy back as heat. Doesn't do computation as a side effect though.