I've 0 experience with ASIC miners as I wouldn't touch em with a barge-pole personally
poor resale value, loud as sin
and as Classic said, way too expensive for someone worrying about their monthly/quarterly power / gas bill.
(amongst other gripes)
I can state re. GPU mining though - most people don't want to learn how to essentially code, or alternatively you must whore the system out and miss out on ever having the opportunity to hit a block.. You'd presumably buy used old cards (rx580's are ideal) and used everything else too as it need not be fancy.
With ETH gone, this setup would never generate enough profit (imo) to justify the endless messing around with miner software, gpu re-drivering, etc. if doing anything besides NH (this may have changed since)
imho you'd end up having shaved off a few % of your power bill, all said and done.
You can buy the best panels out there but if they're not oriented properly, they're as good as any other,
the subtleties
matter with these things, such as insulation and wiring gauge etc ..
if they are apprehended then oftentimes very little money need be parted with for a satisfactory outcome.
Solar trackers are great if you have the space. But they often cost more than they are worth.
Price per btu delivered is the major thing consider IMO
that and, availability and imminent practicability of parts.
Crypto heater is good if you have a rig lying about and know how to efficiently transact crypto's, but chances are if you have a GPU mining rig at all, you're probably flush for a more elaborate solution to heat a home.
Or sell it as is and even at current prices, it'd likely cover 3x of the systems I described (barebones PV-DC-DC)
As I see it, solar thermal is great for an offgrid earth ship or similar, if used with a ballast etc
There are systems that combine PV/ST in one package but they're pricey, and DIY versions seem pretty difficult,
Reversible mini split systems are cheaper than ever (used) and the information pertaining to their repair / DIY installation is readily available online. Even that could be done cheaper than most think (
regulations allowing)
Although, If someone did want to do the whole crypto thing now and hodl, GPU prices are pretty low lately.
Whichever way it is achieved, independent energy "production", or savings, means paying one big bill up front.
Would you rather pull the band-aid off quickly, or slowly, but it never comes off ?