There Isn't Even Running Water
One of the biggest differences between Emma's home and an ordinary house becomes obvious as soon as you think about the plumbing. There isn't any. Emma collects rainwater from the roof and stores it for use. She can also collect fresh water from the surrounding land, including a nearby river and waterfall.
For bathing, she has found other solutions. Water can be heated using a fire, and the property includes a sauna and outdoor bathing arrangements. Even the bathroom situation is completely different. Instead of having a conventional indoor toilet connected to a sewer system, Emma uses composting toilets outside the main living area. It may sound like a major inconvenience, but Emma has incorporated these routines into everyday life.
And that's really the key to understanding her lifestyle. She hasn't simply taken a normal house and removed the electricity and plumbing. She designed her life around not needing them in the first place. Of course, that doesn't mean everything is effortless. When winter arrives, Emma needs to chop and prepare enough firewood to keep herself warm. Water has to be collected, carried and managed carefully. The comforts are there—but they require work.