Hardware Guide

Retrofit basement ventilation – it's this easy

Everything you need: sensor, smart plug, and fan. From €65 complete, no electrician needed.

3 ways to ventilate your basement

From the simplest setup to a permanent solution – choose what fits your basement.

Window Solution

Easiest 15 minutes From €65

Mount a wall fan (Ø 100–150 mm) in an open basement window and seal with foam or a wooden frame. Switch via smart plug or Shelly relay.

Minimal installation
Affordable entry point
Fully reversible
Window stays partially open

Window Panel

Easy 30 minutes From €75

Cut a plexiglass or wood panel as a window adapter and insert the inline fan. Window stays closed.

Window stays closed
Cleaner look
Cheaper than wall penetration
Some DIY required

Wall Penetration

Medium 2–3 hours From €150

100mm core drill through the basement wall, permanently install an inline fan. The cleanest permanent solution.

Permanent solution
Window completely free
Professional look
Core drilling needed (DIY or hire)

Installation Guide

Step-by-step for each method – from a quick window setup to a permanent wall solution.

Window Solution

  1. 1Open the basement window and measure the clear opening
  2. 2Place the inline fan (Ø 100 or 150 mm) centrally in the window opening
  3. 3Seal gaps with foam strips or rigid foam board
  4. 4Run the power cable to the smart plug – plug in and done

For a more secure hold: fix the fan in place with a piece of wooden strip.

Window Panel Method

  1. 1Measure the window opening exactly (width × height)
  2. 2Have a plexiglass or plywood panel cut to size (hardware store)
  3. 3Drill a hole for the inline fan (hole saw Ø 100 or 150 mm)
  4. 4Insert the inline fan into the panel and seal with silicone
  5. 5Fit the panel into the window and secure with foam tape
  6. 6Connect the smart plug – window stays closed

Plexiglass lets light through – the better choice for dark basements.

Wall Penetration (Core Drilling)

  1. 1Expose the exterior: use the light well or excavate soil to 1 m depth
  2. 2Mark the drill point inside and outside – check with a pipe/cable detector!
  3. 3Core drill Ø 100 mm with diamond drill bit (stand-mounted drill + water cooling recommended)
  4. 4Insert a wall sleeve (waste pipe) and seal the gap with expanding foam
  5. 5Insert the inline fan, mount a weather protection grille or louvre hood on the outside
  6. 6Ensure a slight outward slope (2–3°) to prevent water ingress
  7. 7Connect the smart plug – the cleanest permanent solution

For concrete walls: mount the drill on a stand and use cooling fluid to avoid kickback.

Safety Notice

For wall penetrations: Use a stud/pipe finder to check for electrical, water, and gas lines. Utility lines can run as shallow as 80 cm.

Pro Tip

Core drilling machines can be rented at hardware stores for about €50/day. Alternatively, a tradesperson can do the drilling for €100–200.

Placement

For square basements, one fan is sufficient. For elongated floor plans, two opposing units are recommended for optimal cross-ventilation.

Shopping List

All products are available on Amazon. Pick your setup.

Setup with Shelly

Shelly H&T Gen3 (Indoor Sensor)

Shelly H&T Gen3 (Indoor Sensor)

Measures temperature and humidity. Connects directly with the Breeqo app.

approx. €25
Shelly Plug S (Smart Plug)

Shelly Plug S (Smart Plug)

Automatically switches the fan on and off. WiFi-controlled.

approx. €15

Outdoor Sensor: Open-Meteo (free)

Weather data is automatically fetched by location. No extra sensor needed.

Free

Setup with SwitchBot

SwitchBot Meter Plus (Indoor Sensor)

Temperature and humidity sensor for the SwitchBot ecosystem.

approx. €15
SwitchBot Hub Mini (Gateway)

SwitchBot Hub Mini (Gateway)

Connects SwitchBot devices to the cloud. Required for API control.

approx. €30

SwitchBot Plug Mini (Smart Plug)

Switches the fan automatically. Compact and energy-efficient.

approx. €15

Outdoor Sensor: Open-Meteo (free)

Weather data is automatically fetched by location. No extra sensor needed.

Free

Fan (for both setups)

Inline Fan 100mm with EU Plug

Inline Fan 100mm with EU Plug

Hon&Guan or similar. Quiet (26–45 dB), just plug in.

approx. €25–40
Inline Fan 150mm with EU Plug

Inline Fan 150mm with EU Plug

For larger basements. Higher airflow (up to 350 m³/h).

approx. €40–60

10x cheaper than the competition

Traditional dew point controllers cost €900–€1,600. With Breeqo and smart home sensors, you get the same result from €65.

FeatureBreeqo + ShellyTraditional Systems
SensorsShelly / SwitchBot (from €25)Proprietary sensors
ControlSmart Plug (from €15)Dedicated controller
App & DashboardWeb app + PushDisplay on device only
NotificationsEmail & PushNone
Trend Forecast6h forecast (Pro)None
PriceFrom €65 one-time + app free€900–€1,600

Ready? Up and running in 10 minutes.

Sign up for free, connect your sensors, and your basement will be ventilated automatically.

Get started free

No subscription required · Free plan available

Frequently Asked Questions

Which fan do I need?+

For most basements, a 100mm inline fan (approx. 150–200 m³/h) is sufficient. For larger basements or multiple rooms, we recommend 150mm.

Is a tilted window enough?+

Yes, for getting started, an inline fan in a tilted basement window works very well. For a permanent solution, we recommend a window panel or wall penetration.

Can I do the wall penetration myself?+

Yes, with a rented core drill (approx. €50/day at a hardware store) it's quite doable. Alternatively, a tradesperson can do the drilling for around €100–200.

Shelly or SwitchBot – which is better?+

Both work perfectly with Breeqo. Shelly is slightly cheaper and doesn't need a gateway. SwitchBot offers a broader ecosystem with bots and cameras.

Do I need an outdoor sensor?+

No, Breeqo automatically uses Open-Meteo weather data for your location. A dedicated outdoor sensor is optional but not necessary.

How much does the app cost?+

The basic plan is permanently free (1 location, 1 room). The Pro plan (€3.99/month) offers unlimited rooms, trend forecasts, and push notifications.