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‘A House Like Mine’ guide for homeowners
A home like yours – real stories, real plans
Looking for energy saving inspiration for your home? We carried out 12 case studies on different house types in Oxford to show how homeowners like you can benefit from energy efficiency improvements.
Why improve your home’s energy efficiency?
Upgrading your home makes it warmer, more comfortable, and cheaper to run. It can also create a healthier living space, reducing issues like damp, draughts, and condensation.
Many homes in the UK lose heat quickly, making them harder to keep warm. A well-insulated, energy-efficient home stays cosy in winter, cooler in summer, and costs less to heat – all while reducing your carbon footprint.
Start your home energy efficiency journey with a plan
Making your home more energy efficient is called retrofitting. This can include anything from simple improvements – like loft insulation – to bigger upgrades such as installing heat pumps or solar panels.
A Whole House Plan helps you understand what’s possible for your home and plan improvements step by step. Instead of making one-off changes, a Whole House Plan gives you a clear roadmap to:
- Prioritise upgrades that make the biggest difference
- Plan improvements to suit your budget
- Make your home more comfortable and energy efficient
- Ensure all improvements work together for the best results
Whether you want to reduce bills, improve home comfort, or future-proof your home, a Whole House Plan helps you make informed decisions.
Support is available
If your home is hard to heat or you’re on a low income, you may be eligible for government grants to help cover the cost of improvements. Check available funding options in our Resources section.
Take the first step
A great place to start is by checking your home’s current Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. This will help you understand where improvements may be needed (opens new tab).
See what’s possible
On the next page, you’ll find a variety of case studies of homes, including rental properties like yours. These examples show how landlords and homeowners have used a Whole House Plan to understand their property’s energy efficiency, explore upgrade options, and create a clear roadmap for future improvements.
Even small changes – like improving insulation or upgrading heating systems – can make a big difference. The key is to start now and take it step by step.
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“The Whole House Plan was extremely helpful. It provided a detailed cost breakdown and will help us prioritise our next steps. This advice was far better than the fragmented input from tradespeople, who just focus on their specific projects rather than take a whole house approach.”
LOUISE, MARSTON, OXFORD
Project navigation
Discover more ‘A House Like Mine’ project pages with tips, advice, and stories to guide your retrofit journey:
- Back to… the project homepage
- How to take a step-by-step approach using the case studies
- Case studies – Inspiring your home improvements.
- Guide for homeowners – Introducing you to the whole house approach
- Guide for landlords – Boost property ratings and tenant appeal
- Resources – Advice on retrofitting, financial support, and regulations