Despite efforts to promote and accelerate the adoption of innovative, affordable, and zero-energy dwelling solutions, the number of dwellings complying with standards such as the EPBD remains relatively low as we reach year 2020. Studies have already explored potential challenges and opportunities to the uptake of such designs. However, despite previous findings and recommendations, the market’s response remains slow. Building on existing knowledge and as part of the Housing 4.0 Energy project, this study investigates current financial, cultural, legislative and technical barriers and drivers to the implementation and uptake of small, innovative, affordable, zero-energy dwellings in small towns in Belgium and Ireland. Focus groups gathering housing providers, decision makers, stakeholders, and contractors were conducted in Leuven and Kilkenny. Outcomes revealed that participants’ general perceptions around barriers and drivers are similar between the two countries and are validated by previous research findings. However, a closer look at context specific barriers reveals considerable differences. The identification of these contextual differences enables a better apprehension of the current situation in every location leading to the formulation of context specific recommendations and a better allocation of precedence. Thus, this paper demonstrates the importance of context specific investigations not only in the identification of challenges to energy efficiency innovations but also in establishing more effective implementations.

尽管努力促进和加速采用创新、负担得起和零能耗的住宅解决方案，但到 2020 年，符合 EPBD 等标准的住宅数量仍然相对较低。研究已经探索了潜在的挑战和机遇采用此类设计。然而，尽管先前的调查结果和建议，市场的反应仍然缓慢。在现有知识的基础上，作为“住房 4.0 能源”项目的一部分，本研究调查了比利时小城镇实施和采用小型、创新、负担得起的零能源住宅的当前财务、文化、立法和技术障碍以及驱动因素，以及爱尔兰。在鲁汶和基尔肯尼举行了聚集住房提供者、决策者、利益相关者和承包商的焦点小组。结果显示，两国参与者对障碍和驱动因素的一般看法相似，并得到了先前研究结果的验证。然而，仔细研究特定环境的障碍会发现相当大的差异。识别这些上下文差异可以更好地了解每个位置的当前情况，从而制定针对上下文的建议并更好地分配优先级。因此，本文展示了特定背景调查的重要性，不仅在识别能源效率创新的挑战方面，而且在建立更有效的实施方面。