Auruküte

Auruküte is an Estonian term referring to steam heating, a method in which heat is generated by burning fuel in a boiler to produce steam that is circulated through a building via a network of pipes to radiators or convectors.

A typical auruküte system includes a boiler room, steam mains and risers, condensate return lines, and radiator units with supply and return connections. Control equipment such as pressure regulators, water level indicators, safety valves, and thermostatic devices manage heat output and safety. The distribution relies on steam pressure to push the condensate back to the boiler, where it is reheated and recirculated.

Historically, steam heating spread in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was widely used in urban residential and commercial buildings. In the Baltic region, including Estonia, many older multi-story buildings originally employed steam heating, sometimes linked to district steam networks. From the mid-20th century, hot-water (hydronic) heating and district heating became more common, but some historic buildings retain original steam systems or operate hybrid configurations.

Advantages of auruküte include robust heat output and suitability for large spaces with simple radiators. Disadvantages involve larger pipe sizes, lower zoning flexibility, greater energy losses if poorly insulated, and more intensive maintenance to prevent scale, corrosion, and leaks. Today, auruküte is most often encountered in heritage buildings or specialized installations rather than new construction.

See also: hydronic heating, district heating, boiler, radiators.