Self-build in Perth & Kinross - hello

[saveasteading]

1 hour ago, john ferrigan said:

Hi Kevin

NB It's Kelvin, as in degrees K and The Kelvin Hall.

[Kelvin]

Been a while since I’ve updated progress largely because nothing major has changed until today. 
 

After putting off the decision on our PV and batteries I decided against installing them on top of the cliff. It was  introducing too much cost and complication for not much gain. In the end I decided on fitting them to the garage roof. This meant an east/west install and we had space for 19 panels (the SVP on the west side being a limiter). That decision made I then looked at all the various battery systems that also supported backup either partial or full. I looked at and got quotes for several systems before narrowing it down to three: 

 

1. Powerwall 3 

2. GivEnergy All in One

3. Sigenergy. 
 

I ruled out PW3 for a few technical reasons but Elon Musk also put me off. I already spend money on Starlink and if I could find an alternative then I’d likely swap to that. 
 

I ruled out GivEnergy largely because I was finding it hard to actually get any local companies to quote. Four companies told me they used to install them but have stopped due to too many issues trying to commission systems, and too many re-visits that cost them money. I contacted Giv directly and they put me onto a Manchester based company and while they quoted I didn’t like their pushy sales approach plus they are in Manchester and I’m not, so not ideal. 
 

I also looked at Fronius, SolarEdge and Fox and ruled them all out for various reasons mostly because they didn’t deliver what I wanted. 
 

In the end I decided to go with Sigenergy. Not exactly risk free as they are a fairly new company (2022) and their products haven’t had much field testing. However it did everything I was looking for, was very flexible in terms of battery storage sizing, and offered whole home backup with instant switchover to off-grid mode. It was also a reasonable price and in fact one of the cheaper quotes.

 

Installation started last Monday and was finished today due to some delivery issues and we’ve been running on it since mid-day today. We switched it into off-grid mode and it is indeed instantaneous. It’s a 24kWh system in 3 x 8kWh modules with the hybrid energy controller the top module. The whole thing is very compact taken up very little space. I had the battery fitted in the garage and the gateway is fitted in the house plant room. It’s also relatively compact and has some nice features such as a ‘smart port’ for connecting large loads to it (like an ASHP) You can also connect a generator to it if you wanted to go fully off-grid. Install problems aside commissioning the system was really quick and as quick as the installer clicking a button to me receiving the email to create an account and login into the app. It will take me a bit of time to work out the best way to configure the app but for now I’ve put it into AI mode to let it sort itself out.

 

Cost was just over £15,000 for everything including the G99 application etc. We have a Home Energy Scotland grant which saves £2500 (Scottish Government has stopped offering this) 
 

[Kelvin]

There are a few milestones for the self-builder - buying a plot, getting planning permission, the first spade in the ground etc. Taking the Heras fencing down is surely one of those. I took the last panel down today and the fencers are cracking on with the fencing and will be finished by Thursday next week. 

[Kelvin]

This is my favourite machine we’ve had on-site. Tank post basher. Fence round the house and boundary in. 300m of it! Next task is sell the Heras fencing. 
 

[Dunc]

@Kelvin can I ask what you did re: intumescent fire barriers behind your timber cladding? (sorry I can't find a previous thread you commented on) I'm guessing you put intumescent strip around at FF level and above and below windows. Anywhere else? Anything at foundation or eaves level?

[Kelvin]

6 minutes ago, Dunc said:

@Kelvin can I ask what you did re: intumescent fire barriers behind your timber cladding? (sorry I can't find a previous thread you commented on) I'm guessing you put intumescent strip around at FF level and above and below windows. Anywhere else? Anything at foundation or eaves level?

Pretty much that. Nothing at foundation level or at eaves (1.5 storey building) We debated putting vertically  at the corners but in the end just used wood battens at either side of each corner as that also gave us a better fixing for the cladding. This was all agreed with building control. The bigger issue for us was having to special order the stuff as it was an unusual size to fill our ventilated gap behind the cladding so we over ordered to make sure we had it then didn’t use a whole box of the stuff. 

[Kelvin]

Just assembled my second self-build. Only took 2 hours and no obvious structural problems. Still to fit the automated door. New owners not interested though. 
 

 

 

[Redbeard]

Is it compliant with the Code for Sustainable Hens?

[Kelvin]

Made from ‘the best quality recycled industrial plastic’ whatever that is. The LBC (large bastard cockerel) has signed it off so it’s all good. 

[SteamyTea]

On 02/12/2024 at 22:58, saveasteading said:

NB It's Kelvin

Down to zero, which was Joan Armatrading.

[saveasteading]

On 21/08/2025 at 09:53, Dunc said:

what you did re: intumescent fire barriers behind your timber cladding

The need for intumescent materials can be overstated. Plasterboard (e.g) can be much simpler and cheaper.

[Dunc]

21 hours ago, saveasteading said:

The need for intumescent materials can be overstated. Plasterboard (e.g) can be much simpler and cheaper.

Required in the void between the breather membrane of the timber frame and the external timber cladding where there must be a ventillation gap but also fire control. Vertically can be solid timber as no need for sideways ventillation however horizontally need to allow air flow but have fire stopping at first floor level, eaves and above/below windows/doors.

Apologies to @kelvin for thread drift; back to the very impressive chicken housing 😉

[saveasteading]

1 minute ago, Dunc said:

have fire stopping at first floor level

OK I know the stuff you mean. I was thinking of steel or timber beams where I've seen the word 'intumescent' thrown in almost as a getout by the detailer.