Costly building alterations
A ground-source borehole, a district heating connection or extensive alterations can make replacing your heating expensive. We assess another option for your building.
Server heating for existing and new buildings
Heat from
computing power.
Need to replace your heating, but a heat pump or district heating is not an option? DecentralHeat uses the heat from liquid-cooled high-performance computers for space heating and hot water. The computing power can also generate revenue which, depending on the agreement, helps cover your running costs. We support you from planning through to operation.
info@decentralheat.chDH-5: up to 5 kW heat outputDH-50: modular from 20 to 50 kWDH-150: modular from 20 to 150 kW
Where we fit
When replacing your heating gets complicated.
For homes, hotels, commercial premises and public buildings. Particularly worth considering where conventional solutions face constraints at the site.
Limited options at the site
A lack of outdoor space, unsuitable ground or high heating temperatures can complicate planning. A server heating system is installed in a suitable plant room.
Specific restrictions
Listed buildings or restrictions on structural alterations can make a different approach worthwhile. Permission is assessed for each project with the relevant authorities and specialists.
How it works
One energy input. Two benefits.
High-performance computers provide computing power and generate heat for your building. That computing power can generate revenue: the Compute Return. Revenue allocation is agreed contractually for each project. Depending on the agreement, it can help cover your running costs. Your heat demand determines how much the system operates.
ElectricityGrid powerPhotovoltaics + Battery storage
optional, lower electricity costs
optional, lower electricity costs
Primary circuitHigh-performance computers + Heat exchangerWater circulates through the computers and releases the heat in the heat exchanger right next to them.
Secondary circuitHeating water to the tankA separate circuit: the heating water never comes into contact with the computers.
BuildingHeating circuit + Hot waterBuffer tank
Heat demand controls the computing load.
01 · Compute
Liquid-cooled high-performance computers provide computing power and generate heat. Their output adjusts to the heat demand.
02 · Transfer heat
A separate primary circuit and a plate heat exchanger transfer the heat to your hydronic heating system and hot water supply.
03 · Benefit from Compute Return
Revenue from the computing power is allocated according to the agreement for each project. Depending on that agreement, Compute Return can help cover your running costs. The amount depends on the market and operation and is not guaranteed.
Electricity price
Three levers for a lower electricity price.
A server heating system uses a lot of electricity. That is exactly what can make it economical: the open electricity market, Compute Return and your own solar power can significantly reduce the effective price per kilowatt-hour. This can make server heating cheaper to run than oil heating. The size of the saving depends mainly on operating hours, the tariff and market conditions. We run the numbers for your building.
Open electricity market
If a site consumes at least 100 MWh of electricity per year, you can buy its electricity on the open market. A DH-50 reaches this consumption after around 1,900 hours at full load; a fully equipped DH-150 does so after around 600 hours. Depending on the region and tariff, this can lower the price per kilowatt-hour.
Compute Return as cashback
Your share of Compute Return can be expressed as an amount per kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed by the system. It works like cashback on the electricity price and can significantly lower the effective price. The amount varies within a range determined by the market, operating hours and the contractual allocation.
Solar PV and storage
Solar electricity can power the computers directly while heat is needed. Your own electricity costs less than grid power, leaving more of the Compute Return after electricity costs. A battery stores solar power for the hours when heating is needed. Both are optional and can be integrated into the system.
The lower price applies to all electricity drawn through the connection: heating, electricity for shared building services and, if the property is supplied as a whole, the apartments too.
Worked example: oil heating compared with our server heating system
Heating costs for a customer property with a large solar PV system (160 kWp) and a large battery (260 kWh).
Heat price after Compute Return6.52 Rp./kWh of heat
- Oil heating
- 16.70 Rp./kWh
- Difference from oil heating
- CHF 22,789 cheaper per year, around 61%
Electricity 12.30 − Compute Return 5.78 = 6.52 Rp./kWh of heat
Assumptions and limits of the calculation
Comparison for a specific property. Under the assumptions shown, this customer property has a calculated heat price of around 6.52 Rp./kWh after Compute Return. The calculation is based on a 160 kWp solar PV system, a 260 kWh battery and a blended electricity price of 12.3 Rp./kWh instead of the local grid electricity price of 29.0 Rp./kWh. Without solar PV and storage, the example assumes electricity bought on the open market at around 20 Rp./kWh: the property consumes more than 100 MWh per year and is eligible to buy its electricity on the open market. Additional operating costs of the server heating system are not yet included. Assumptions: 223,900 kWh of useful heat per year; 1 kWh of electricity produces 1 kWh of useful heat; current Compute Return based on 3,000 operating hours; future payments are not guaranteed. The oil heating price of 16.7 Rp./kWh is an agreed calculation assumption for this property, not a Swiss average. The calculation is not a guarantee of economic viability.
Values as a table
| Oil heating | Server heating | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual useful heat | 223,900 kWh | 223,900 kWh |
| Solar PV system | - | 160 kWp |
| Battery storage | - | 260 kWh |
| Electricity costs before Compute Return | - | CHF 27,540 (12.30 Rp./kWh) |
| Compute Return | - | − CHF 12,938 |
| Annual costs | CHF 37,391 | CHF 14,602 |
| Heat price | 16.70 Rp./kWh | 6.52 Rp./kWh |
Three models
Start compact. Expand in modules.
DH-5 for small applications and supplementary heating. Modular DH-50 and DH-150 systems start at 20 kW. The choice is based on your heat demand.
up to 5 kW
DH-5
The compact server heating system with 5 kW heat output. Particularly suited to supplementary heating in single-family homes, tiny houses, pool heating and small businesses.
Explore DH-5
20-50 kW
DH-50
The DH-50 delivers up to 50 kW of heat. Its modular capacity ranges from 20 to 50 kW in 10 kW increments. It is suited to heating buildings and smaller commercial properties and can be integrated into existing heating systems.
Explore DH-50 / DH-150
20-150 kW
DH-150
The DH-150 delivers up to 150 kW of heat. Its modular capacity ranges from 20 to 150 kW in 10 kW increments. Typical uses include apartment buildings, hotels, neighbourhood heating schemes, indoor pools, commercial properties and agriculture.
Explore DH-50 / DH-150Three models, one principle. The choice depends on your heat demand. The maximum and guide values below do not replace a design tailored to your project.
The three models comparedA starting point
Could server heating work for your building?
These five points provide an initial guide. We will work through any open questions together during the initial assessment.
Start Quickcheck- 01
Hydronic heating
If your building uses radiators or underfloor heating, it already meets an important requirement. A heat storage tank is usually useful too.
- 02
Suitable for existing radiators too
The maximum flow temperature is 85 °C. We check whether the system suits your existing radiators based on the required temperature and heating output.
- 03
The right electrical connection
Larger systems require a higher-capacity electrical connection. We check with you whether the existing connection is sufficient.
- 04
Enough space
The system is installed in a boiler or plant room. We check which model fits and how it can be brought into position.
- 05
Internet for remote support
A stable internet connection is essential: it is used for remote maintenance and communication with the server.
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
What you may want to know before deciding: suitability, operation, costs and next steps.
All questionsDoes it fully replace my oil or gas heating?
That depends on the building and its heat demand. Server heating can fully replace the existing heating or work alongside it. In a combined system, the second heat source can provide extra heat on very cold days, for example. It can also act as a backup if one system is temporarily unavailable. For larger projects, several DecentralHeat units can be designed to provide reserve capacity. We assess the options based on past consumption, the required heating temperature, existing equipment and the desired level of reliability.
What happens in summer when no heat is needed?
Even in summer, heat may be needed for hot water or a pool. The system adjusts its operation to this demand. If no heat is needed, it switches off, as intended for heat-led operation.
How does Compute Return affect the electricity price?
Your share of Compute Return can be expressed as an amount per kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed by the system. This acts like cashback on the electricity price. Combined with a lower price on the open market, it can significantly reduce the effective electricity price. The amount varies within a range determined by the electricity price, operating hours, market developments and the allocation agreed in the contract. Roughly every four years, the revenue per unit of computing power halves as scheduled. Compute Return is therefore not a fixed amount and is not guaranteed. Solar PV can supply the computers directly while heat is needed, and a battery stores solar electricity for use when heating is required. We do not guarantee a fixed price.
What happens after I enquire?
Start the Quickcheck or request a consultation. We will get back to you within three working days to arrange it.
Contact
Let us talk about your future heating.
Start the Quickcheck with the key facts about your heating system or book a consultation directly. You can also email us your questions at any time - we respond within three working days.
info@decentralheat.ch