Abstract This paper presents an investigation carried out for evaluating the dynamic thermal performance of a residential house using a multi-zone building model simulated with the help of TRNSYS 17. The building model integrates systems such as an air–air heat exchanger (AAHE), a water–air heat exchanger (WAHE) coupled with an earth–water heat exchanger (EWHE). The temperature based control strategies for these systems are recommended based on the simulation results. The AAHE and the EWHE have impact of 66% and 7% respectively on reduction of the annual heating consumption of the house. All the integrated systems together contribute significantly (72%) in reducing the annual heating consumption of the house. The annual heating consumption of the house per unit floor area is estimated as 6.9 kWh/(m2 year) which is within the passive house standard. There is significant reduction of the overheating time above 25 °C due to the EWHE installed in the present house with annual ventilation air cooling contribution of 602.6 kWh/year.