A mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery provides heating and cooling, supported by a fan coil. A system of grey water heat recovery meets hot water demands. The design of the internal and external lighting includes energy-efficient measures such as the installation of LED lamps that can be controlled by a home automation system. Large electrical appliances will also be energy-efficient to optimise energy consumption.

Water use is reduced by using low-consumption, dual-flush toilets, flow limiters on taps and showers, and washing machines and dishwashers with sensors and programs that adapt water consumption to the quantities of laundry and dishes, and to how dirty they are. A water meter connected to the home automation management system enables the monitoring and control of water consumption. Using data on consumption trends the system can warn of leaks and carry out leak action plans. Grey water from sinks and showers is collected and recycled. Rainwater is collected and stored in a buried tank with a total capacity of 21,000 litres. This stored water can be reused for cleaning. The plants used in the garden and for vegetation cover are restricted to native species that do not require watering.

The type of windows used and the location of the house enable average indoor lighting levels to exceed defined minimum values. In the kitchen, this value is 85% higher with an even greater improvement in the other rooms. High levels of indoor air quality are achieved by:

• direct natural ventilation from the outside through windows that have a practicable surface area greater than 100% of the stated values, and
• a ventilation system defined by the Passivhaus standard which allows a total replacement of indoor air each hour.

Paints, varnishes and other products and materials (such as wood) have been chosen to meet VOC (eg formaldehyde) emission standards. An improvement of 7 to14 dB was achieved over the sound insulation values for external noise required by the legislation. Certified wood fibre panels are used for both acoustic and thermal insulation.

The management of construction wastes enabled 95% of them to be recovered and reused. All aggregates extracted during excavation, for example, have been used as filler for drainage and for plot levelling, as well as for the construction of stone walls and slopes. The house has an internal storage space for recyclable and non-recyclable household wastes, and a composting facility for food wastes.

Improved and protected site ecology is achieved by increasing the total number of plant species, the use of native plants and the installation of a roof garden. During construction, the existing Pines on the plot were protected and a long-term biodiversity management plan was developed. Although runoff water is not a flooding risk for the site, good practices such as installing a tank to collect rainwater have been included. Erosion caused by disturbing the land surface was reduced with good practice during the construction process, such as proper waste management and storage areas, and carrying out vehicle maintenance off site. The ventilation system designed according to the Passivhaus standard, can maintain a stable temperature 365 days a year. Therefore heating is achieved without using boilers that emit NOx, and the cooling without using equipment containing refrigerants. Not even light pollution occurs, as all exterior lighting is equipped with a timer appropriately programmed and managed by a housing automation system.

The environmental impacts of construction, such as energy and water consumption, and waste production, have been minimised. During construction carbon emissions and consumption of energy and water were monitored, hazardous and other materials and tools were properly stored, and care taken to ensure the health and safety of workers. Site selection took account of the proximity of local services such as pharmacies, cafes, banks and leisure places. The house includes storage space for bicycles and a home office.