New Brunswick is one of Atlantic Canada’s best-kept secrets for Bitcoin mining. With NB Power residential electricity rates hovering around $0.11–0.13 CAD/kWh — well below the national average — and cold winters that deliver months of free cooling, the province offers a compelling case for home miners looking to maximize profitability. As a small, maritime province with a relatively low cost of living, New Brunswick provides an accessible entry point for Canadians looking to start their mining journey.
D-Central Technologies is proudly Canadian, headquartered in Quebec — right next door to New Brunswick. That means fast domestic shipping with no customs delays, no import duties, CAD pricing, and direct access to our repair and support services. For New Brunswickers exploring Bitcoin mining, you have a significant advantage: a local, expert mining partner just a province away.
New Brunswick Electricity Rates for Bitcoin Mining
New Brunswick Power (NB Power) is the sole electricity provider in the province, which simplifies rate planning for miners. Unlike deregulated markets, you know exactly what you’re paying.
Current Residential Rates (2026)
NB Power’s residential rates are structured as follows:
- Standard residential rate: ~$0.1180/kWh (effective April 2026, following a 4.75% approved increase)
- Monthly service charge: ~$22.76
- Average residential bill: Approximately $170–180/month for typical household consumption of 1,350 kWh
This puts New Brunswick in the mid-range for Canadian electricity pricing — significantly cheaper than Nova Scotia or Ontario, though more expensive than Quebec or Manitoba. Compared to the US national average of approximately $0.18 USD/kWh, New Brunswick remains highly competitive when factoring in the CAD/USD exchange rate.
Monthly Mining Cost Estimates at NB Rates
- Antminer S21 (3,500W): ~$92/month CAD
- Antminer S19 (3,250W): ~$86/month CAD
- Bitaxe (15W): ~$1.30/month CAD — essentially negligible
- Bitcoin Space Heater S9 Edition (1,300W): ~$34/month CAD — and it heats your room
At these rates, full-scale ASIC mining is viable during cooler months when heat is a benefit, and open-source solo mining with devices like the Bitaxe is essentially free to operate year-round.
Climate Considerations for Mining in New Brunswick
New Brunswick’s maritime climate offers genuine advantages for Bitcoin miners, particularly during the long heating season.
Temperature Profile
- Winter (December–February): Average temperatures of -8°C to -15°C. Inland areas like Fredericton get colder than coastal Saint John.
- Spring (March–May): Gradual warming from -2°C to 12°C. Snow lingers into April in many areas.
- Summer (June–August): Moderate 18°C to 25°C. Coastal areas rarely exceed 28°C, making summer mining manageable.
- Fall (September–November): Cool temperatures from 15°C down to -2°C, ideal for mining.
New Brunswick offers approximately 7–8 months of useful heating season (October through April/May), during which your Bitcoin miners double as space heaters. A Bitcoin Space Heater running through a New Brunswick winter isn’t a luxury — it’s replacing the electric baseboard heater you’d be running anyway, but earning Bitcoin while it works.
Dual-Purpose Mining Advantage
With cold maritime winters and many New Brunswick homes relying on electric baseboard heating, the economics of mining-as-heating are particularly strong here. Every watt your miner consumes becomes heat in your home. During the ~7 months when you’d otherwise be paying to heat with electricity, your mining operation’s electricity cost is effectively $0 — you’re just redirecting heating dollars into Bitcoin mining.
Regulations and Legal Status in New Brunswick
Bitcoin mining is fully legal in New Brunswick and across Canada. There are no provincial regulations specifically targeting or restricting cryptocurrency mining at any scale for individuals.
Key Regulatory Points
- No mining-specific legislation: New Brunswick has no laws restricting Bitcoin mining for residential or commercial operators.
- NB Power has no crypto surcharges: Unlike some jurisdictions that have imposed special rates for crypto miners, NB Power charges standard rates regardless of how you use your electricity.
- Municipal noise bylaws: ASIC miners are loud (70–80 dB). Cities like Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John have noise bylaws that may apply in residential areas. Solutions include D-Central’s Space Heater editions (which are quiet), shrouded setups, or basement/garage installations with sound dampening.
- Electrical code: Running multiple high-power ASICs requires dedicated 240V circuits. All electrical work must comply with the New Brunswick Electrical Installation and Inspection Regulation and be performed by a licensed electrician.
- Zoning: Home mining at residential scale (1–5 units) typically falls within normal residential use. Larger operations may require a home business permit from your municipality.
Tax Implications
Bitcoin mining income in New Brunswick is subject to both federal (CRA) and provincial taxation:
- Hobby mining: Mined Bitcoin taxed as capital gains when sold (50% inclusion rate).
- Business mining: Mined Bitcoin taxed as business income at fair market value upon receipt. Deductible expenses include electricity, hardware depreciation (CCA Class 50, 55% declining balance), internet, and dedicated space.
- New Brunswick provincial income tax: Ranges from 9.4% to 20.3%, added on top of federal rates.
- HST: New Brunswick charges 15% HST. If mining revenue exceeds $30,000/year, GST/HST registration is required.
For detailed tax guidance, see our Bitcoin Mining Tax Guide for Canada.
Best Mining Hardware for New Brunswick
New Brunswick’s moderate electricity rates and cold climate make it suitable for a range of mining strategies. Here’s what we recommend:
Solo/Lottery Miners (Any Budget)
- Bitaxe (any variant — Supra, Ultra, Hex, Gamma, GT): At ~$1.30/month electricity cost, every New Brunswicker should be running at least one Bitaxe. Perfect for supporting decentralization, learning about mining, and taking your shot at a solo block reward.
- NerdQAxe / NerdAxe: Open-source solo miners at minimal power draw. Ideal for dedicated solo mining enthusiasts.
Home Miners (Moderate Investment)
- Bitcoin Space Heaters (S9 or S19 Edition): The perfect fit for New Brunswick’s long winters. Replace your electric heater with a Space Heater that mines Bitcoin. During 7+ months of heating season, your mining electricity cost is effectively zero — you’re just heating smarter.
- Antminer S19 or S21 (single unit): At $86–92/month electricity, a single efficient ASIC can be profitable during the heating season and marginal during summer. Ideal for a basement or garage setup with proper ventilation.
Serious Home Operations
- Multiple Antminer S21 units: New Brunswick rates support multi-unit operations, especially in a detached garage or workshop with winter cold providing free cooling. Focus on the latest-generation, highest-efficiency models to maximize returns.
Browse our full selection of miners at the D-Central Shop.
Getting Started Mining in New Brunswick
Ready to start mining? Here’s your step-by-step guide tailored to New Brunswick:
- Assess your electrical capacity: Check your home’s electrical panel. A single Antminer S21 requires a dedicated 240V/20A circuit. Your panel should have at least 200A service for comfortable mining alongside normal household loads. If in doubt, hire a licensed New Brunswick electrician for an assessment.
- Choose your hardware: For beginners, start with a Bitaxe to learn the fundamentals with minimal risk. For heating-season mining, a Bitcoin Space Heater is the ideal entry point. For serious mining, an Antminer S21 offers the best efficiency available.
- Order from D-Central: As a Canadian company, D-Central ships directly to New Brunswick with no customs, no import duties, and fast domestic shipping. All orders are in CAD.
- Prepare your space: Identify where your miner will operate. For ASICs, a basement, garage, or workshop is ideal — somewhere you can manage heat and noise. For Space Heaters and Bitaxe units, they can go right in your living space.
- Set up internet: You need a stable internet connection, but bandwidth requirements are minimal (under 1 Mbps). Standard home internet from Bell or Rogers in New Brunswick is more than sufficient.
- Configure your miner: Choose a mining pool (for pool mining) or solo mine directly. D-Central provides setup guides for all hardware we sell.
- Monitor and optimize: Track your hashrate, electricity consumption, and Bitcoin earnings. Adjust your strategy seasonally — ramp up during the heating season, consider scaling down in the warmest summer months if profitability is tight.
For a comprehensive walkthrough, visit our Getting Started with Bitcoin Mining guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bitcoin mining legal in New Brunswick?
Yes, absolutely. Bitcoin mining is fully legal in New Brunswick and across Canada. There are no provincial or federal laws restricting individuals from mining Bitcoin at home or commercially. You pay standard NB Power electricity rates and use the power however you see fit.
How much does it cost to mine Bitcoin in New Brunswick?
At current NB Power rates of ~$0.118/kWh, running an Antminer S21 (3,500W) costs approximately $92 CAD/month in electricity. A Bitaxe solo miner costs about $1.30/month. During the heating season (October–April), your mining electricity cost is effectively offset by the heating value your miner provides.
Is Bitcoin mining profitable in New Brunswick in 2026?
Profitability depends on Bitcoin’s price and network difficulty, but New Brunswick’s electricity rates are competitive enough for efficient ASICs to mine profitably — especially during the 7+ months of heating season when mining effectively replaces your heating costs. Solo mining with a Bitaxe is always “profitable” in the sense that your electricity cost is negligible and you’re supporting Bitcoin’s decentralization.
Can I mine Bitcoin in my apartment in New Brunswick?
You can mine with quiet, low-power devices like the Bitaxe or a Bitcoin Space Heater in most apartments. Full ASICs are too loud (70+ dB) for apartment living unless you have very tolerant neighbors. Check your lease for any restrictions on high-power appliances, and ensure your apartment’s electrical capacity can handle the load.
Does NB Power charge extra for cryptocurrency mining?
No. NB Power charges the same residential rate regardless of how you use your electricity. There are no cryptocurrency surcharges, special metering requirements, or approval processes for home mining in New Brunswick.