Major issues need to be overcome if the ultra low-energy German Passivhaus is to take off in the UK, according to a new NHBC Foundation report.<br> <br> Lessons from Germany's Passivhaus experience looks at the Passivhaus system in Germany and Europe.<br> <br> It finds that:<br> <br> Building a Passivhaus is a major challenge to builder and designer The cost of a Passivhaus in Germany is 3% to 8% more than building to German regulations. Reduced interest rate loans and grants are available in Germany – only one loan scheme is available in the UK and no capital grants Germans are more interested in the environment – 92% of Passivhaus inhabitants are pleased with their home Passivhaus homes in the UK must comply with Building Regulations as well as the Passivhaus standard <br> Neil Smith, group research and innovation manager at NHBC, said: "It is clear there are major issues that need to be overcome if the Passivhaus standard is to take off in the UK. There are lessons that we can learn from the attention to detail inherent in the Passivhaus approach. But it is questionable whether Passivhaus is a realistic solution for the volume market at present."<br> <br> www.nhbcfoundation.org/passivhaus