Hosted Mining vs. Mining at Home: Which Is Right for You?
Hosted mining runs your ASIC at a professional facility; home mining runs it in your house. For most people starting bitcoin mining in 2026, hosted mining wins on three dimensions: lower electricity cost, no industrial noise or heat, and zero operational burden.
This page explains what each approach requires, where the real costs are, and when home mining makes sense.
What Each Approach Requires
Home Mining
- →Electricity: $0.13–$0.16/kWh (US residential average)
- →Noise: ~75–85 dB continuously
- →Heat: ~3,500W+ thermal output
- →Electrical: dedicated 20A 240V circuit (possibly panel upgrade)
- →Insurance: separate hardware policy
- →Operations: you monitor and manage
Hosted at Fathom Labs
- →Electricity: $0.07/kWh all-in
- →Noise: facility handles it
- →Heat: facility handles it
- →Electrical: facility handles it
- →Insurance: included in $1,020 per-machine onboarding fee
- →24/7 NOC monitoring included
The Electricity Cost Gap
The most important cost difference is electricity rate. On a 3,500W miner:
| Scenario | Rate | Monthly electricity (3,500W, 24/7) |
|---|---|---|
| US residential average | $0.145/kWh | $365 |
| Fathom Labs — hosted | $0.07/kWh all-in | $176 |
Monthly hours = 720. US residential average is illustrative; actual rates vary by state and tier. This is a cost comparison only — not a profit projection.
When Home Mining Makes Sense
- →Very cheap electricity: If you have access to power below ~$0.06–$0.07/kWh (off-grid solar, rural industrial rate, or negotiated business rate), home mining can be cost-competitive with hosted.
- →Learning or experimentation: If hands-on access and learning are part of the goal, running a small machine at home makes sense regardless of economics.
- →Existing infrastructure: If you already have a suitable outbuilding or garage with industrial-grade electrical and ventilation, the upfront cost barrier is lower.
Fathom Labs hosting options
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hosted bitcoin mining?
Hosted bitcoin mining (also called colocation mining) means your ASIC hardware runs at a professional data center facility rather than at your home. You own the machine; the hosting provider owns the infrastructure. They supply power, cooling, network connectivity, and monitoring. You receive 100% of the mining output. At Fathom Labs, hosted mining costs $0.07/kWh all-in plus a one-time $1,020 per-machine onboarding fee.
Can I mine bitcoin at home?
Yes, technically — but home mining is challenging for most people. ASIC miners are loud (~75–85 dB), generate significant heat (~3,500W+), require dedicated 20A electrical circuits, and need continuous monitoring. US residential electricity also averages $0.13–$0.16/kWh — roughly double the rate at competitive hosted facilities. Home mining works when you have very cheap electricity (under ~$0.07/kWh) and are comfortable managing the hardware yourself.
What are the advantages of hosted bitcoin mining for a beginner?
For a beginner, hosted mining offers: (1) lower electricity rate ($0.07/kWh vs. $0.13–$0.16/kWh residential); (2) no noise or heat in your home; (3) no need for specialized electrical infrastructure; (4) professional 24/7 NOC monitoring so you don't have to watch the machine; and (5) ability to scale (add more miners) without physical constraints.
How does hosted mining work at Fathom Labs?
At Fathom Labs: (1) You buy a Whatsminer M70, M70S, or M73 (from us or bring your own); (2) pay the $1,020 per-machine onboarding fee; (3) we coordinate shipping to our Southeast Texas facility; (4) we install and configure your miner, pointing it at your mining pool and wallet; (5) your machine hashes 24/7 at $0.07/kWh all-in; and (6) payouts go directly from the pool to your Bitcoin wallet.
Start hosted mining today
Contact us to discuss your hardware and get started at $0.07/kWh in Southeast Texas.