Smart living room heating: the ultimate guide to comfort and efficiency in 2026

The days when a radiator was merely a bulky, white block you preferred to hide behind the sofa will be definitively over in 2026. With the continued rise in gas prices and the growing demand for more sustainable homes, we are searching en masse for ways to heat our living spaces more efficiently. You surely recognize this: the uncertainty surrounding your monthly energy consumption and those outdated radiators that simply don't fit your modern interior. A smart living room heating solution offers the answer by seamlessly combining advanced technology and aesthetics.

In this guide, you will discover how to transform your living room into a sustainable, comfortable space with smart electric heating, without the fear of high energy costs. We discuss how to maintain full control via an intuitive app and why Norwegian quality is essential for a reliable indoor climate. Additionally, you will learn how paintable fronts ensure your heating becomes an integral part of your design, allowing you to enjoy maximum warmth with minimal visual impact on your living space.

Why smart heating in the living room will become the standard in 2026

The Dutch energy landscape has changed drastically in recent years. Where we previously relied blindly on gas central heating, stricter climate targets and the unpredictable gas market are forcing a different approach in 2026. The living room, the social heart of your home, plays a leading role in this. A smart living room heating solution is no longer a luxury gadget for tech enthusiasts, but a strategic choice to keep your living comfort and monthly costs in balance.

The energy transition in the Dutch living room

The phasing out of natural gas will have gained momentum in 2026. For many households, this means that the traditional, often bulky radiator is making way for electric alternatives that work faster and more precisely. Although heat pumps are often presented as the only way forward, the high purchase costs and complex installation pose a significant barrier. This is where smart convectors prove their worth. They offer a low entry price and enormous flexibility. In a hybrid system, they act as the perfect partner, bringing the living room up to temperature in no time, precisely at the moments you are actually there. 2026 is the year we stop heating empty spaces and switch to a system that adapts to your rhythm.

Saving through intelligence

The fundamental difference between an old-fashioned heater and a modern smart convector lies in the technological core. A traditional system often keeps running until a mechanical thermostat signals, leading to temperature fluctuations and unnecessary consumption. Smart systems use highly accurate electronic thermostats and sensors that continuously monitor the environment. The impact of this on your wallet is immediately noticeable.

• Open window detection: The convector detects a sudden temperature drop and switches itself off to prevent energy waste.
• Presence sensors: Your living room is only heated when there is activity, eliminating wasteful heating in an empty room.
• Dynamic rates: In 2026, more and more people will be using variable electricity prices; your smart system can anticipate this by heating when the electricity price is lowest.

By intelligently utilizing these proactive features, a smart living room heating system can save up to 20% on your energy bill compared to non-connected heating sources. This intelligence ensures that the investment in high-quality equipment pays for itself faster than ever before, while you simultaneously contribute to the national sustainability challenge.

How a smart convector efficiently heats your living room

To effectively heat a large space such as the living room, the technology behind the device is crucial. Unlike small radiant heaters, smart convectors work based on natural air circulation. Cold air is drawn in from below, warmed by the internal element, and then rises gently. This process repeats continuously, ensuring that the entire air mass in the room reaches the desired temperature evenly. The major advantage of this is that you do not experience annoying drafts or the noise of rotating fans. This is essential for your comfort during a relaxing evening on the sofa.

Convection versus infrared: the facts

Many providers tout infrared as the holy grail, but in a spacious living room, this technology often falls short. This is because infrared only heats the objects and people the radiation falls directly on. As soon as you step outside the direct range of the panel, the air still feels cold. An electric convector with Wi-Fi handles this differently by using the air itself as a transport medium for heat. Thanks to a highly accurate electronic thermostat, the temperature remains constant, without the fluctuations seen in traditional systems. This ensures a behaclimate in every corner of the room, regardless of where you are sitting.

Control via your smartphone

The real benefit of a modern installation lies in complete control via the BEHA app. You no longer need to be physically at the heater to change the settings. With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can create detailed heating schedules that seamlessly align with your weekly routine. Coming home from work early one day? Switch on the heating remotely so your living room is already comfortable upon arrival. Furthermore, the app offers in-depth insight into your consumption per day or week. This allows you to see immediately where you can still optimize to keep your costs low. You can group various appliances, so you can set the entire ground floor to the desired level with a single press of a button.

Safety is always a top priority with Norwegian technology. The smart convectors are equipped as standard with reliable overheating protection. Should the convector be accidentally covered, the system switches itself off immediately. Families with young children have also been considered; you can easily activate the child lock via the app, rendering the buttons on the device itself unusable. In this way, a smart living room heating solution combines modern ease of use with the highest safety standards for your family.

Design options for your interior: from glass to paintable radiators

The days when a radiator was a necessary evil that you preferred to hide behind a sofa or curtain will be definitively behind us in 2026. When furnishing a modern living space, aesthetics are just as important as functionality. A smart living room heating solution must therefore not only be technically superior but also seamlessly align with your personal style. Whether you opt for a minimalist look, an industrial interior, or a classic appearance, the right finish for your convector largely determines the atmosphere in your home.

Stylish heating with glass and steel

For those who appreciate a sleek and luxurious look, a convector with a glass front is the ideal choice. Available in timeless white or deep black glass, the heater functions almost as a work of art on the wall. The smooth surface subtly reflects the light in the room, creating a sense of spaciousness and modernity. Furthermore, glass panels are extremely easy to clean with a damp cloth, ensuring they retain their shine for years.

On the other hand, the electric heater with a steel front the most durable and trusted option. Steel is an excellent heat conductor, allowing the convector to release the generated heat very efficiently into the air in your living room. BEHA feature a high-quality powder coating that is resistant to scratches and discoloration from heat. This makes them a safe and reliable long-term investment, fitting into any type of interior without being overpowering.

The paintable radiator: a seamless interior

The greatest revolution in the field of design is undoubtedly the paintable radiator. While traditional radiators always stand out due to their contrasting color, this innovation offers you the possibility to make the heating blend completely into the wall. By painting the front of the convector in exactly the same color as the wall, the device becomes virtually invisible. This creates unprecedented tranquility in your interior, as the visual interruption of a white surface on a colored wall disappears.

BEHA is the pioneer in this specific market and has developed the fronts so that the paint adheres perfectly without affecting heat output. This gives you complete freedom to change your interior every year; if you paint the wall in a new trendy color, you simply paint the convector along with it. This makes the smart living room heating not only a technological upgrade but also a flexible design element that adapts to your changing taste. The result is a harmonious whole where comfort and style reinforce each other without compromise.

Step-by-step plan for installing smart heating in your living room

A successful switch to smart living room heating begins with thorough preparation. It is not simply a matter of plugging it in; to heat truly efficiently and realize the promised savings, you must take into account the specific characteristics of your home. A good plan prevents you from dealing with cold corners or unnecessarily high energy consumption later on.

Calculate capacity for your space

Many people make the mistake of basing their decision solely on the number of square meters. In reality, the volume (cubic meters) and the insulation value of your home are much more important for making the right choice. For a modern house with good insulation and double glazing, we calculate with an average of 30 to 35 watts per cubic meter. Do you live in a listed building or a home from the 1970s with moderate insulation? Then you will quickly need 40 to 50 watts per m³ to achieve a comfortable level of comfort.

Take an average Dutch living room of 30 square meters with a ceiling height of 2.5 meters. This results in a volume of 75 m³. In a well-insulated home, this would require approximately 2400 watts of power. In this scenario, it is often wiser to choose two 1200-watt convectors instead of one large 2400-watt heater. By strategically distributing the heat sources, you achieve a much more even temperature and prevent 'hot spots' in the room.

Installation and assembly

The location where you mount the convector is crucial for the effectiveness of the air circulation. The ideal place is still under a window. This ensures that the cold air flowing down from the glass is immediately captured and heated. This eliminates the drafts across the floor that you often feel in larger rooms. Although our convectors can also be used freestanding on feet, we recommend wall mounting for the living room. This is more efficient because, in a fixed position, the convector can optimally direct the airflow without furniture obstructing the circulation.

Observe the following safety distances during installation for optimal operation:

• At least 10 cm of free space at the bottom for the air intake.
• At least 20 cm of free space at the top for the hot air outlet.
• Ensure that curtains or furniture never hang directly in front of or above the convector.

As soon as the convector is mounted, you connect it to your Wi-Fi network via the app within a few minutes. The process is almost fully automated; you scan the convector and follow the steps on your screen. Furthermore, maintenance on a BEHA convector is minimal. The only thing you need to do is occasionally run a vacuum cleaner along the air inlets at the bottom. This prevents dust from accumulating, keeping the air quality in your living room optimal. View our full range now and choose the right smart living room heating for your situation.

The future of your living room with the Norwegian quality of BEHA

Norway is known for its unforgiving nature and bitter cold. It is the birthplace of heating technology that must not only function, but excel under the harshest conditions. When you choose a smart living room heating solution from BEHA, you bring that robust Norwegian expertise directly into your home. It is the perfect synergy between a rich history and the digital demands of 2026. You are not buying a temporary gadget, but a system designed to last for decades.

More than 100 years of innovation

Founded in 1917, BEHA has closely shaped the entire evolution of electric heating. What began over a century ago with the production of the first heaters has today grown into advanced cloud-controlled systems. As a family business, we apply a different standard for success than many modern tech giants. Our focus is on continuity and a proven lifespan. This means that the convector you install in your living room today will still deliver the same reliable heat in twenty years. It is the assurance of a brand that lasts for generations and constantly evolves without losing sight of its core values ​​of reliability.

A responsible choice for the environment

In 2026, sustainability will no longer be a choice, but a fundamental necessity for every household. Our products comply with the strictest European Ecodesign standards, guaranteeing that energy waste is reduced to an absolute minimum. The highly accurate electronic thermostats prevent unnecessary wattage consumption, while the high-quality materials used in our production processes are largely recyclable. By switching to electric convection, you make an active contribution to a gas-free future for the Netherlands.

BEHA proves that tradition and innovation go hand in hand. While the technology behind the scenes is constantly being optimized to seamlessly fit into the smart home of tomorrow, the physical solidity of the steel and glass remains unchanged. You choose a partner that contributes to a smart and responsible lifestyle. This is how you transform your living space with a smart living room heating system that is just as future-proof as the Norwegian tradition from which it originated.

Prepare your living room for the future today

The transition to a more sustainable home does not have to come at the expense of your interior or comfort. A smart living room heating solution from BEHA offers you the perfect balance between advanced technology and aesthetic design. Whether you choose the modern look of a glass front or the complete invisibility of a paintable radiator, you always bring top Norwegian quality into your home. With over 100 years of experience and full compliance with the Ecodesign guidelines, you are assured of a system that will last for generations.

With precise app control and smart sensors, you keep a grip on your energy costs while enjoying behawarmth. It is time to say goodbye to unpredictable gas bills and choose a heating method that adapts to your life. Discover the full range of smart heating for your living room at BEHA and experience how easy it is to transform your living space. You are just one step away from a smarter, warmer, and more efficient home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many watts do I need for a 30m2 living room?

For a 30m² living room with a standard height of 2.5 meters, you need approximately 2,250 to 2,625 watts with good insulation. This is based on an average of 30 to 35 watts per cubic meter. In older homes with less insulation, this can rise to 3,750 watts. It is advisable to distribute this power across two or three heaters for even heat distribution in the room.

Can I install a smart convector myself or do I need an electrician?

You can easily install a smart convector yourself without the help of an electrician. The devices come with a wall bracket and a cord with a plug, making it simply a matter of drilling holes and plugging the heater into the socket. Only if you want to install a completely new circuit for multiple heaters at once is it advisable to call in a professional for the technical connection in the fuse box.

Does the smart heating still work if my internet connection drops?

Yes, your smart heating continues to function normally if the internet connection is lost. The convector features a local electronic thermostat that maintains the set temperature. You can still manually adjust the temperature on the device itself. As soon as the Wi-Fi connection is restored, the data is synchronized with the app again, and you can control the heating remotely and adjust schedules once more.

Are BEHA 's paintable radiators suitable for every type of paint?

's paintable radiators BEHA are suitable for most types of water-based wall paint. For the best results and good adhesion, it is important to first apply a suitable primer. This allows you to paint the convector the exact same color as your wall, making the smart living room heating almost invisible. Avoid using metallic or oil-based paints, as these can negatively affect heat output.

How much can I actually save by switching to electric convector heaters?

By switching to smart convectors, you can save up to 20% on your heating costs compared to traditional electric heaters. You behathis saving thanks to the highly accurate electronic thermostats that prevent unnecessary overheating. Additionally, smart features such as open-window detection and programmable weekly schedules help to heat only when truly necessary. Moreover, in combination with dynamic energy tariffs, you can shift your consumption to the cheapest hours of the day.

Is an electric heater with a glass front safe for small children?

Yes, an electric heater with a glass front is safe for households with small children. The glass surface reaches a lower temperature than the metal casing of many traditional radiators, significantly reducing the risk of burns. Furthermore, you can easily activate a child lock via the app. This ensures that the physical buttons on the convector are blocked, preventing curious little hands from unintentionally changing the settings or temperature.

Can I control multiple heaters in the living room simultaneously with the app?

With the BEHA app, you can effortlessly manage multiple heaters simultaneously by organizing them into groups. For example, you can add all the convectors in the living room to a single group, allowing you to adjust the temperature for the entire room with just one touch. This is not only convenient for daily use but also provides insight into the combined energy consumption of your smart living room heating setup.

Do BEHA heaters comply with Dutch safety standards?

BEHA heaters fully comply with all applicable Dutch and European safety standards, including the strict Ecodesign guidelines. Our products have been extensively tested by independent bodies such as NEMKO and bear the CE mark. With over 100 years of experience as a Norwegian family business, safety is central to every design. Furthermore, every convector is equipped with reliable overheating protection that immediately switches off the device if the airflow is blocked, guaranteeing worry-free use.