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For the 2026-2027 winter, the best approach in Brussels is to heat your radiators with cooler water and check that they are large enough to do so. Energy prices rose sharply this autumn and the regional Renolution grants have been discontinued: every degree saved on the water temperature counts. But be aware that a radiator chosen based on its catalogue power may only deliver half that power at low temperatures. This guide helps you assess your needs before the severe cold sets in.
Published on 21 October 2026 — price and regulatory data verified as of this date.
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Energy: in October 2026, fixed offers were around 9 c€/kWh for gas and 21 c€/kWh for electricity (Wallonia and Flanders, Test-Achats). Brussels is following the same upward trend.
- The trap: a radiator's stated power is measured with water at 75 °C. At 55 °C, it delivers about half that power; at 45 °C, less than a third.
- Grants: no Renolution grant for invoices dated 2025 or later. The 6% VAT rate remains available for renovations.
- Rules: oil boilers can no longer be installed in Brussels since 1 June 2025.
Why this winter is different
According to Test-Achats (5 October 2026), fixed contracts rose again in October: around 9.05 c€/kWh for gas in Wallonia and 8.97 c€/kWh in Flanders, around 21.3 c€/kWh for electricity. Compared to March 2026 prices, this represents nearly €670 more per year for a household consuming 17,000 kWh of gas. Social tariffs are following suit: the CREG raised social gas tariffs by 11.4% for the last quarter of 2026.
Two practical consequences for your radiators:
- Electricity costs about 2.4 times more per kWh than gas. An electric radiator remains relevant for supplementary heating or in a bathroom, but rarely as the main heating source.
- Lowering the water temperature saves money, even with a gas boiler. A condensing boiler only truly condenses and achieves its best efficiency when the water returning from the radiators is cool enough, below around 55 °C.
The catalogue power trap
Manufacturers express a radiator's power according to the European standard EN 442, with water at 75 °C leaving, 65 °C returning, and a room at 20 °C ("75/65/20" rating).
Example with two horizontal radiators from our range, 60 cm high and 100 cm long:
| Water temperature | T22 600 x 1000 | T33 600 x 1000 | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75/65 °C (catalogue power) | 1,732 W | 2,389 W | Old boiler set "full blast" |
| 55/45 °C | ≈ 890 W | ≈ 1,230 W | Well-adjusted condensing boiler |
| 45/35 °C | ≈ 525 W | ≈ 725 W | Heat pump |
Calculated using the standard EN 442 conversion formula (exponent 1.3), based on the nominal powers from our product sheets. Indicative values, rounded.
Example: a 12 m² bedroom
A properly insulated 12 m² bedroom requires around 850 W (70 W/m²). A T22 600 x 1000 is sufficient with a condensing boiler set to 55 °C. With a heat pump at 45 °C, it only provides 525 W: you must switch to a T33 140 cm long (around 1,000 W at 45 °C), or add a second radiator. The right sizing is therefore done room by room, at the actual temperature of your installation.
T22, T33 or vertical radiator: which one to choose?
| Model | Design | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| T22 | 2 panels, 2 rows of fins | The standard: bedrooms, living rooms with gas boiler |
| T33 | 3 panels, 3 rows of fins: around 38% more power at the same dimensions | Low temperature, heat pump, poorly insulated room, wall too short for a T22 |
| Vertical | Tall, narrow | Little free wall space under windows, contemporary living rooms |
| Towel rail | Horizontal tubes, hot water or electric | Bathroom: heating and drying clothes |
| Electric | Independent of the heating circuit | Supplementary heating, bathroom, room without piping |
The detail that simplifies a renovation: our horizontal radiators are available in an 8-connection version (4 on the sides, 4 from the bottom). You can replace an old radiator without moving the pipes, regardless of where they come out of the wall or floor. See our T22/T33 8-connection and our 6-connection versions.
Should you replace your radiators before switching to a heat pump?
Not necessarily all of them. In most Brussels homes, only one or two rooms are undersized for 45 °C water: often the living room, or a room under the roof. The best method:
- This winter, gradually lower the flow temperature of your boiler (the "heating curve").
- Note the rooms that no longer reach the desired temperature in cold weather.
- Replace only these radiators with a more powerful model, often a T33 of the same size.
You will save on gas starting this winter, and you will prepare for the switch to the heat pump without redoing everything.
Rules and grants in Brussels in 2026
- Oil: no oil boilers can be installed since 1 June 2025 (Brussels Environment).
- Gas: banned since 1 January 2025 in new or equivalent constructions, and from 1 January 2030 for major renovations, depending on the permit application date. The simple replacement of a boiler in an existing home is not affected.
- Boiler replacement: EPC requirements notably impose thermostatic valves on radiators (except in the room with the thermostat) and a programmable room thermostat.
- Renolution grants: invoices dated 2025 or later no longer qualify for a regional grant. Zero-interest renovation loans have been announced, but no text had been adopted as of the date of this article.
- 6% VAT: still applicable to the supply and installation by a professional in a home over 10 years old. See our 6% VAT guide.
- Free advice: Homegrade (1810) and certain municipal grants remain available; inquire with your municipality.
Checklist before the severe cold
- Bleed the radiators that gurgle or remain cold at the top: air prevents hot water from circulating.
- Check the pressure of the installation after bleeding (generally between 1 and 2 bars when cold, depending on your boiler).
- Test the thermostatic valves: a valve stuck after the summer leaves a radiator cold or, conversely, always hot.
- Clear the radiators: a piece of furniture or a curtain in front can greatly reduce the heat diffused.
- Program the night and absences: one degree less represents around 7% less consumption, according to common estimates.
- Think about desliming if the installation is over 15 years old and some radiators heat poorly at the bottom: sludge reduces power.
Design-wise: the trend of the season
The radiator is no longer hidden. Vertical models in matte black or white, with a flat surface, stand out as a decorative element, and matching fittings (white, black, chrome) finish the job. See ours: the vertical Evo (1800 x 600 mm, 3,460 W catalogue power), the Plano, and the towel rails Linteo, Sueno and Farko, including 700 W electric versions for bathrooms without a hot water circuit. Also think about our connection sets in the same shade as the radiator.
Frequently asked questions
Which radiator to choose with a heat pump?
One sized for water at around 45 °C, which often means choosing a T33 or a larger radiator than the old one. A radiator only delivers around 30% of its catalogue power at 45 °C: the calculation must be done at this temperature.
Why do my radiators heat less since I lowered the boiler?
A radiator's power depends directly on the water temperature. At 55 °C, it delivers about half its catalogue power. If a room remains cold, it is because this radiator is too small for this temperature: it is the one that needs to be replaced, not the entire installation.
Is the electric radiator profitable in 2026?
As main heating, rarely: the electric kWh costs around 2.4 times more than the gas kWh at October 2026 rates. As supplementary heating, in a bathroom or a room rarely used, it remains a simple and inexpensive solution to install.
Are there still grants for radiators in Brussels?
No more Renolution regional grant for invoices dated 2025 or later. The 6% VAT remains applicable in the renovation of a home over 10 years old, and some municipalities maintain their own aid.
What is the difference between a T22 and T33 radiator?
The T22 has two panels and two rows of fins, the T33 has three of each. At the same dimensions, the T33 heats around 38% more, making it the reference choice for low temperature.
Prepare your winter with us
Send us the surface area of each room, the type of boiler or heat pump, and a photo of your current radiators with their dimensions. We will indicate which ones are sufficient and which ones are better replaced, and we will offer you a quote for supply or supply + installation.
Akdeniz Deco — Rue de Beughem 18, 1030 Brussels
Telephone: 02 218 20 01
Monday – Saturday: 8:00 – 18:00 · Sunday: 10:30 – 15:30
See all our radiators → · Request a free quote →
Sources: Test-Achats (energy prices, 5 October 2026), CREG via La DH (social tariffs T4 2026), Brussels Environment (EPC boiler requirements), renolution.brussels (end of grants). See also our radiators in Brussels page.
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