HUUM Makes Its Air Tunnel Standard Across the HIVE Heater Line
By Arlene Scott
Senior Wellness Correspondent & Hospitality Consultant
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- 5 min
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The Estonian manufacturer has made its internal air tunnel a standard feature in all HIVE models, which it says cuts heat-up time by 25% and prolongs the life of the heating elements.
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HUUM, the Estonian sauna heater manufacturer known for its sculptural designs, has completed a significant but understated engineering upgrade. Starting in 2025, the company made its internal air tunnel a standard component on all HIVE models, the HIVE Mini included. Owners of earlier HIVE heaters can buy it as an accessory. It’s the kind of improvement that doesn’t photograph well but matters to anyone who cares about heater longevity and heat-up time.
What the air tunnel does
The air tunnel is a stainless steel insert mounted inside the heater, between the heating elements and among the stones. According to HUUM’s installation manual, it supports the heating elements and creates more efficient air movement inside the heater, which speeds up heating of the sauna room. HUUM says it also reduces the quantity of stones the heater needs.
HUUM says the air tunnel cuts heating time by 25% and prolongs the useful life of the heating elements.
HUUM has since built the idea into a new heater from the start. KLINT and KLINT Solo, launched at Interbad in October 2026, are cylindrical floor heaters with a central air tunnel running through about 230 pounds of stones.
Market context
HUUM built its brand on industrial design, and the HIVE’s beehive-inspired silhouette is the line’s signature. The air tunnel upgrade keeps the exterior design unchanged while improving the internals, a move that rewards existing fans rather than chasing headlines.
Founded by Siim Nellis, a third-generation Estonian sauna heater maker, HUUM competes in the premium segment against Harvia, Narvi, and IKI from Finland and the TyloHelo (now Sauna360) brands from Sweden and Finland. The company later expanded its line with the HUUM Core, a bench-embeddable heater that launched in the US in 2026.
