As gas heating becomes more and more expensive, the UK is testing an unusual idea: 500 Raspberry Pi units are to heat an apartment

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With heating costs rising across the UK, people are looking for affordable alternatives. In some areas, residents are using an innovative solution: small data centers powered by Raspberry Pi computers. The heat generated by these computers is then used to warm homes, offering a potentially cheaper way to stay warm.

500 Raspberry Pi heat one home

UK Power Networks, the company responsible for parts of England’s electricity grid, partnered with Thermify to launch SHIELD – a program designed to provide smart, efficient energy to low-income communities. According to The Register, this collaboration has resulted in an innovative home heating approach. While most participants will receive solar panels and battery storage, roughly a third will be part of a unique alternative solution.

Thermify creates mini data centers for homes by connecting 500 Raspberry Pi computers and submerging them in oil. Instead of letting this computing power go to waste, the system captures the heat it generates and uses it to warm the home and provide hot water – effectively replacing a traditional gas boiler.

To avoid slowing down the home internet, each Thermify Raspberry Pi cluster connects separately. This setup is used by both families and businesses who want to harness the power of data center computing. Importantly, this system has been proven effective in real-world testing, reducing heating costs by approximately 40%.

This isn’t the first instance of this technology being used. At least two companies in the UK already offer similar systems for heating homes and places like swimming pools. It’s possible we’ll see more homes equipped with the powerful computing units used for artificial intelligence as these networks continue to grow.

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2025-10-13 12:32