<p>Major issues need to be overcome if the ultra low-energy German Passivhaus is to take off in the UK, according to new research from the NHBC Foundation. </p><p> </p> <p></p> <p>Passivhaus sets extremely high requirements for energy efficient design and construction focusing on minimising the requirement for heating and cooling and therefore energy consumption. There were 165 Passivhaus buildings completed or under construction in the UK last year, but worldwide some 37,000 have been built. </p><p> </p> <p></p> <p>A new NHBC Foundation report, "Lessons from Germany's Passivhaus experience", aims to provide an objective overview of the experience gained to date from Passivhaus in Germany and Europe. </p><p> </p> <p></p> <p>It found that: </p><p> </p> <p></p> <p>* Building a Passivhaus is a major challenge to builder and designer, with demanding energy performance and quality assurance standards, meaning some observers question its suitability to the volume market </p><p> </p> <p></p> <p>* The cost of building a Passivhaus in Germany is 3% to 8% more than building to German building regulations. A significant factor in the take up of Passivhaus there has been the availability of reduced interest rate loans and grants. Just one such loan scheme is available in the UK and …