From Pot on the Stove to 1,500-Gallon Tanks: Scaling Up Home Ventilation Projects Without Losing Quality

When one bathroom fan works but ten don’t: the pain of scaling home ventilation

Mould, condensation, noisy fans and unpredictable results are common when homeowners try to replicate a successful DIY ventilation fix across whole houses or multiple properties. The technical complexity, regulatory demands and quality risks multiply fast. The good news: lessons from a small brand that grew from a single pot on a stove to 1,500-gallon production tanks show how disciplined documentation, quality control and iterative testing keep standards high while you scale.

“It all started with a single pot on a stove.” — Chris Harrison, Liber & Co. (adapted)

That line from Liber & Co.’s scaling story matters to homeowners because it highlights a universal truth: simple beginnings can become complex, and the same hands-on culture that creates great prototypes must become systematic to scale reliably. In 2026, with rising interest in MVHR systems, heat pump rollouts and smarter ventilation controls, homeowners who plan large retrofits or multiple-room upgrades must adopt project management and manufacturing-grade QA principles to protect indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy performance.

Why scaling a ventilation project is different

One-off repairs are forgiving. When you scale to several rooms, whole-floor retrofits or multiple rented properties, the following become critical:

• Interdependence: airflow in one room affects neighbouring rooms and whole-house pressure balance.
• Regulation and compliance: Part F guidance, building control and local planning have stronger teeth on multi-room and whole-house works.
• Quality variance: batch differences in components, inconsistent installer workmanship, and undocumented changes increase failure risk.
• Operational complexity: MVHR commissioning, duct insulation, condensate traps and heat recovery require repeatable testing and logbooks.

Three scaling lessons from a brand that made the leap

Liber & Co. moved from stove-top experiments to industrial tanks by keeping a hands-on culture while building systems: clear documentation, strict quality control and rapid small-batch testing. Here’s how homeowners can apply those same principles.

1. Documentation: make knowledge portable

What was in a single installer’s head can’t scale. Create simple, standardised records that travel with the project:

• Site survey sheet — measured room volumes, window types, extraction points, existing ductwork, photos, and sketches of duct routes.
• Design pack — drawing of proposed ventilation runs, fan schedules, unit model numbers, cable and power plans, and acoustic mitigation notes.
• Materials log — purchase records, batch/serial numbers for fans, filters and controllers; keep receipt and warranty copies.
• Commissioning report — airflow measurements, CO2 baseline, noise readings (dB(A)), balancing adjustments and signed acceptance by homeowner/installer.
• Change log — any deviation from the design (why, who approved it, and new test outcomes).

Store these in a synced folder (e.g., secure cloud or shared drive) and require photos at each milestone. Use versioned filenames like project_01_survey_v1.pdf to prevent confusion.

2. Quality control: batch test and acceptance criteria

Manufacturers test product batches; homeowners and installers can adopt a similar mindset. Before rolling a solution out across multiple rooms or properties, set measurable acceptance criteria:

• Airflow targets: base expectations on Part F guidance and manufacturer specifications. For example, bathrooms generally need higher extract rates than living rooms—confirm target and measure it.
• Noise limits: Record dB(A) at 1 metre and at the nearest bedroom—document acceptable levels and test on site.
• Energy use: track runtime and power draw for fans and controllers; for MVHR, record supply/return temperatures to confirm heat recovery.
• Fit and finish: duct joints sealed, insulation in place, condensate traps correctly installed and accessible.

Insist on a short warranty period for workmanship (e.g., 12 months) and ensure mechanical components have manufacturer warranties. Consider a snag list process: raise issues in a shared log and require re-test sign-off.

3. Small iterative testing: pilot, learn, repeat

Instead of converting the whole house at once, run a phased pilot. This is the practical equivalent of a manufacturer doing a small test batch before full-scale production:

1. Pilot selection: choose 1–2 representative rooms or a single flat that includes the key challenges (e.g., a kitchen and bathroom on the same stack).
2. Install and baseline: fit the chosen system with full documentation and commissioning.
3. Monitor for 2–6 weeks: collect CO2, humidity and temperature data, and assess occupant feedback.
4. Adjust and repeat: revise designs, duct routes or settings based on results, then expand to the next phase.

This reduces costly rework and gives installers a repeatable process that can be audited and improved.

Project management blueprint for homeowners

Scaling requires more than technical fixes: you need a plan. A simple four-phase approach works for most projects.

Phase 1 — Discovery & specification (1–2 weeks)

• Complete site surveys using the standard sheet.
• Decide target IAQ and performance goals (CO2, humidity, noise).
• Set budget bands and timelines. Reserve a contingency of 15–25% for unknowns in older buildings.

Phase 2 — Pilot & procurement (3–8 weeks)

• Choose pilot rooms and order materials in small batches.
• Run a competitive quotation process (get at least three quotes).
• Agree deliverables: drawings, commissioning tests, and handover documents.

Phase 3 — Rollout (variable)

• Schedule works in blocks (e.g., two apartments per week depending on complexity).
• Use the pilot feedback to refine the design pack and installation checklist.
• Keep the snag list live and require re-tests.

Phase 4 — Handover & maintenance

• Deliver a complete project pack: as-built drawings, commissioning data, warranty documents and a maintenance schedule.
• Set reminders for filter changes, MVHR service and yearly rebalancing.

Choosing installers: what to ask and what to watch for

Installer selection is a buyer-intent moment. Treat it like hiring a contractor for any major retrofit.

Vet with these must-have checks

• Relevant experience: ask for recent projects of similar scale and for references you can call.
• Certifications and competence: check suitable industry memberships (e.g., CIBSE-trained designers, MVHR commissioning courses) and ask how they evidence Part F compliance.
• Insurance: public liability and professional indemnity cover for design work.
• Warranty & aftercare: clear warranty periods and a defined response time for faults.
• Responsiveness and documentation: do they provide a full design pack and commissioning report as standard?

Red flags

• Vague answers about commissioning or unwillingness to put targets in writing.
• Prices that are much lower than market — this often hides shortcuts.
• No clear spare-parts policy or serial number tracking for installed equipment.

How to compare quotations properly

Cheap unit price isn’t the same as value. When you get quotes, compare like-for-like on these columns:

• Scope of works (detailed, room-by-room).
• Equipment spec and model numbers.
• Testing and commissioning deliverables and pass criteria.
• Warranties (parts and workmanship) and expected maintenance costs.
• Timescale and disruption plan.
• Price breakdown (labour, materials, contingency).

Create a simple spreadsheet and score each quote on technical accuracy, documentation quality and total cost of ownership, not just headline price.

Testing and commissioning: the non-negotiables

Good commissioning turns installed equipment into working systems. Insist on documented evidence:

• Pre-commission checks: visual inspections, duct sealing tests and insulation verification.
• Airflow measurements: record supply and extract values and compare to design targets.
• CO2 & humidity baseline: capture pre- and post-installation readings over several days or weeks.
• Noise tests: measure at key locations and at the operating points used by occupants.
• As-built drawings & photos: include accessible labels for controls, filters and service points.

For MVHR systems, add heat recovery verification: measure supply/ extract temperatures at steady state and confirm expected recovery efficiency.

Quality assurance at scale: systems you can run

When you manage several rooms or properties, adopt these simple QA systems inspired by manufacturing practice:

• Issue tracker: a shared spreadsheet or free ticketing tool with status, owner and deadline for every snag — pair this with an evidence capture approach so fixes are auditable.
• Lessons log: short entries on what went wrong and how you fixed it—used to update standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Batch procurement: buy spares and filter kits in controlled lots and record serial numbers to spot defective batches quickly.
• Periodic re-test: plan annual or biennial rebalancing and CO2 audits for larger installs.

2026 trends that change how you plan and scale

As of 2026, several trends are reshaping home ventilation retrofits:

• Higher MVHR adoption: heat pump rollouts and net-zero targets have pushed more homeowners towards heat-recovery ventilation for energy savings.
• Smart commissioning and sensors: affordable CO2, VOC and humidity sensors with cloud dashboards let pilots gather rich data before large rollouts.
• Remote diagnostics: manufacturers increasingly offer remote commissioning tools that let installers tune systems off-site, reducing unnecessary returns.
• Performance-based finance: lenders and retrofit finance products favour documented IAQ and energy performance, so good documentation increases access to green finance.

These trends mean that small pilots with rigorous data gathering are more valuable than ever. They also make it easier to prove performance to buyers, landlords and lenders.

Practical tools and templates to get started today

Start with low-cost tools and clear templates that you can adopt immediately:

• CO2 & humidity data loggers: inexpensive sensors from reputable brands—deploy at pilot rooms for at least two weeks.
• Handheld anemometer: for quick airflow checks during commissioning.
• Noise meter app or device: validate dB(A) levels at commissioning.
• Standardised survey and commissioning templates: create or download a template with all the fields listed above.
• Simple scoring spreadsheet: to compare quotes on technical and commercial terms.

Actionable takeaway checklist

1. Run a single-room pilot with full documentation and monitoring for 2–6 weeks.
2. Create a simple design pack, materials log and commissioning report template.
3. Require installers to produce commissioning evidence and to sign off a snag list before payment milestones.
4. Compare quotes on performance guarantees, not just price; ask for references and recent similar projects.
5. Keep a lessons log and update your SOPs after every phase.

Closing analogy: from test batch to consistent production

Just like Liber & Co. kept the hands-on spirit of the original team while building processes for larger output, homeowners and landlords can preserve the benefits of DIY and careful installer selection while avoiding the pitfalls of inconsistency. Small iterative tests, clear documentation and simple quality control systems are the bridge between a successful single-room fix and a reliable, scalable ventilation strategy across a home or portfolio.

Next steps — find vetted installers and get three quotes

Ready to scale your ventilation project without losing quality? Start by running a 1-2 room pilot using the templates above, then use a vetted installer directory to request at least three detailed quotations that include commissioning and warranties. If you’d like, use our installer directory to filter by experience, certification and customer ratings, and download a ready-made commissioning checklist to give to prospective installers.

Get started: request a site survey from a vetted installer, download the commissioning template and set up a two-week CO2 monitoring campaign for your pilot room—then expand in controlled phases when you have proven results.