‘A House Like Mine’ project
Want to make your home more energy-efficient, comfortable, and ready for the future? Start with a tailored plan that shows you the best upgrades for your property.
‘A House Like Mine’ is a partnership project showcasing real-life examples from across Oxford. It highlights how a whole house approach ensures improvements work together seamlessly – maximising benefits and minimising disruptions.
Through 12 case studies, homeowners and landlords share how bespoke plans have helped them identify the most effective upgrades, set priorities, and avoid costly mistakes. From insulation to heating, each plan provides a clear roadmap for a more efficient home.
Upgrade at your own pace
You don’t have to do everything at once. If budgets are tight, a step-by-step approach lets you start with smaller measures or upgrade room by room – like adding internal insulation gradually.
Our case studies prioritise a fabric-first approach, reducing heat loss by improving the building itself first. This means starting with insulation – whether it’s cavity wall, loft, or internal wall insulation – to create a solid foundation for further upgrades.
Government grants could be available to support your energy efficiency improvements, especially for the least efficient homes and those in need. If you’re on a low income or have specific health conditions, you may qualify for extra financial assistance.
Explore the possibilities for your property
Use the links below to find inspiration and resources for your own retrofit journey.
Guide for homeowners
Make your home warmer, more comfortable, and cheaper to run. Energy upgrades can also improve air quality and reduce issues like damp, draughts, and condensation – creating a healthier living space.
Guide for landlords
Improving your rental property’s energy efficiency benefits your tenants – and you. Lower running costs, better tenant retention, and higher property value are just a few of the advantages.
How to
Learn how to use the case studies as a step-by-step guide to improve your property’s energy efficiency – and work towards an EPC rating of C or better.
Case studies
Explore real-life case studies of homes like yours – from Victorian terraces to 1970s builds. See how others have planned upgrades to improve comfort, cut energy bills, and reduce carbon emissions
Resources
Need support? Explore grants, practical guides, expert advice, and tools to help you take the first step on your retrofit journey.
“The Whole House Plan really clarified the various measures and their costs for us, something we only had a vague idea about before. It laid out some interesting options, which have been incredibly helpful in planning our next steps.”
FELICITY AND JAN, ST CLEMENTS, OXFORD
Case studies around Oxford
A partnership project
‘A House Like Mine’ is an Oxford City Council initiative, delivered as part of the Zero Carbon Oxford Project (ZCOP) in collaboration with Cosy Homes Oxfordshire. It’s designed to help you take the first step towards making your home cosy, energy-efficient, and ready for the future.
Cosy Homes Oxfordshire is a collaborative initiative dedicated to transforming homes across Oxfordshire into energy-efficient, comfortable homes.
‘A House Like Mine’ was funded by the MCS Foundation, Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council and Lucy Group. Its aim is to help everyone get access to the information and support they need to live in a healthy and energy efficiency home.
The case studies are licensed under a Creative Commons licence BY-NC-ND 4.0. You can view a copy of this license at creativecommons.org
