
A home like yours – real stories, real plans
Looking for inspiration? See how 12 Oxford homeowners and landlords used expert assessments from Cosy Homes Oxfordshire to plan their energy-saving retrofits with confidence.
From Victorian terraces to modern flats, these real-life stories show how different property types could be transformed for greater comfort, lower energy bills, and reduced carbon emissions.
A home like yours?
Whether you’re a homeowner or a landlord, our case studies show how different property types – from Victorian terraces to modern flats – can be made warmer, healthier, and more energy-efficient.
Pre-1900s mid-terrace, Osney Island, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 64 D. Potential EPC: 92 A
Characterful mid-terrace home with diverse energy-saving opportunities
This 5-bedroom mid-terrace home, occupied by a couple with lodgers, is in a conservation area. Spanning 177 m² (1,905 ft²), it features a mix of solid brick and cavity walls, solid concrete floors, and a pitched roof with rooms-in-roof.
The timber windows – a combination of single, secondary, and double glazing – reflect the home’s character but leave room for energy efficiency improvements. With annual energy use of 25,712 kWh (146 kWh per m²) and carbon emissions of 5.2 tonnes per year, a bespoke Whole House Plan helped identify targeted upgrades to improve comfort, cut costs, and reduce environmental impact while preserving the home’s heritage.

Pre-1900s end-terrace, Jericho, Oxford (Rental)
Current EPC rating: 58 D. Potential EPC: 85 B
Spacious end-terrace in a conservation area with retrofit potential
This 5-bedroom end-terrace home, located in a conservation area, is occupied by five adults. With a floor area of 135 m² (1,453 ft²), the property has solid walls, suspended timber floors, and a pitched roof with rooms-in-roof.
The timber windows include a mix of single, double, and secondary glazing, offering varied levels of insulation. The home’s annual energy use is 29,334 kWh (220 kWh per m²), with carbon emissions of 6.1 tonnes per year. A Whole House Plan identified key improvements – from insulation upgrades to optimised glazing – to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs, and create a more comfortable living environment.

Pre-1900s mid-terrace, Kingston Road, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 66 D. Potential EPC rating: 91 B
Owner-occupied mid-terrace in a conservation area
This 4-bedroom mid-terrace home, occupied by two adults, is in a conservation area. With a total floor area of 144 m² (1,550 ft²), the property combines solid brick walls with a cavity wall rear extension, solid concrete floors, and a pitched roof with a room-in-roof design.
The home currently has timber double-glazed windows, including a bay window. With annual energy use of 24,225 kWh (170 kWh per m²) and carbon emissions of 5 tonnes per year, a tailored Whole House Plan outlined upgrades to improve energy efficiency while respecting the home’s heritage.

1900s mid-terrace, Littlemore, Oxford (Rental)
Current EPC rating: 62 D. Potential EPC: 100 A
Mid-terrace family home
This 3-bedroom mid-terrace home, occupied by two adults and two children, has a floor area of 64 m² (689 ft²). It features solid brick walls, suspended timber floors, and a pitched roof with a loft.
With a mix of uPVC double glazing, single glazing, and bay windows, the home’s insulation varies. Annual energy use is 13,736 kWh (216 kWh per m²), with carbon emissions of 2.8 tonnes per year. A Whole House Plan helped identify ways to reduce heat loss, improve comfort for tenants, and lower energy bills while cutting carbon emissions.

1900s detached, Botley, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 47 E. Potential EPC rating: 92 A
Detached family home with potential for significant energy savings
This 3-bedroom detached home, occupied by two adults and one child, has a total floor area of 138 m² (1,485 ft²). Built with solid brick walls, suspended timber floors, and a pitched roof with a loft, it offers opportunities for major energy efficiency improvements.
A mix of single and double glazing, with timber and uPVC frames, adds character but contributes to heat loss. With annual energy use of 38,180 kWh (276 kWh per m²) and carbon emissions of 7.1 tonnes per year, the home has significant scope for improvement. A Whole House Plan provided a roadmap for insulation, glazing, and heating upgrades to reduce costs and carbon footprint.

1920s semi-detached, Rose Hill, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 62 D. Potential EPC: 100 A
Semi-detached home with modern windows and retrofit potential
This case study showcases a 3-bedroom semi-detached home occupied by two adults. With a floor area of 84 m² (904 ft²), the property features solid brick walls, a combination of suspended timber and solid floors, and a pitched roof with a loft.
The home has recently upgraded to new uPVC double-glazed windows, including a bay window, helping improve thermal performance. Despite this, annual energy use remains at 16,600 kWh – equivalent to 197 kWh per square metre – with carbon emissions of 2.8 tonnes per year. A Whole House Plan identified further retrofit opportunities to enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve comfort.

1930s semi-detached, Rose Hill, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 65 D. Potential EPC: 99 A
Energy-saving potential in a cosy semi-detached home
This 3-bedroom semi-detached home, occupied by a retired couple, has a floor area of 70 m² (753 ft²). It features cavity walls with solid bay window walls, suspended timber floors, and a pitched roof with a loft.
The home has double-glazed uPVC windows, including bay windows that add character. With annual energy use of 13,644 kWh (188 kWh per m²) and carbon emissions of 2.8 tonnes per year, a tailored Whole House Plan outlined steps to optimise insulation, reduce bills, and improve comfort.

1940s semi-detached, St. Clements, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 67 D. Potential EPC: 91 A
Spacious semi-detached home with room to improve efficiency
This large 4-bedroom semi-detached home, occupied by two adults, has a generous floor area of 222 m² (2,389 ft²). It features cavity walls, a mix of suspended timber and solid floors, and a pitched roof with a room-in-roof design.
With timber windows (a mix of single and double glazing), insulation varies throughout the home. Annual energy use is 32,982 kWh (150 kWh per m²), with carbon emissions of 6.4 tonnes per year. A Whole House Plan identified key improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall comfort.

1950s semi-detached, Marston, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 67 D. Potential EPC rating: 100 A
Family home with room to improve energy efficiency
This semi-detached, 3-bedroom home, occupied by a family of five, has a total floor area of 95 m² (1,023 ft²). It features cavity walls with a timber frame extension, solid concrete floors, and a pitched roof with a loft.
With uPVC double-glazed windows throughout, the home is reasonably insulated. However, annual energy use stands at 15,978 kWh (170 kWh per m²), with carbon emissions of 3.3 tonnes per year. A Whole House Plan provided a roadmap to further reduce energy use, improve comfort, and lower costs.

1950s end-terrace, Blackbird Leys, Oxford (Rental)
Current EPC rating: 68 D. Potential EPC: 100 A
End-terrace family home with potential for greater efficiency
This 3-bedroom end-terrace home, occupied by two adults and three children, has a floor area of 87 m² (936 ft²). It features a mix of cavity and solid walls, solid concrete floors, and a pitched roof with a loft.
The home benefits from uPVC double glazing, but energy use remains high at 14,478 kWh (167 kWh per m²), with carbon emissions of 3 tonnes per year. A Whole House Plan identified key improvements to improve insulation, reduce energy consumption, and enhance tenant comfort while future-proofing the property.

1950s steel-framed ‘Howard House’, Rose Hill, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 59 D. Potential EPC rating: 96 A
Semi-detached steel-frame home with energy-saving opportunities
This 3-bedroom semi-detached home, occupied by one adult, spans 100 m² (1,076 ft²). It features a unique steel-frame construction with cement panel infill, suspended timber floors, and a low-pitched steel roof with a loft and a flat roof section.
While uPVC double-glazed windows provide some insulation, the home’s energy use is high at 22,400 kWh (224 kWh per m²), with carbon emissions of 4.7 tonnes per year. A Whole House Plan highlighted opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce bills, and future-proof the home.

1990s top-floor flat, Temple Cowley, Oxford (Rental)
Current EPC rating: 65 D. Potential EPC: 85 B
Energy-efficient opportunities in a top-floor flat
This 1-bedroom top-floor flat, in a conservation area, is occupied by two tenants. With a floor area of 55 m² (592 ft²), the property features timber frame walls, timber floors (situated above another flat), and a pitched roof with a loft.
The flat benefits from double-glazed windows and skylights, providing natural light and some insulation. With annual energy use of 5,235 kWh (95 kWh per m²) and carbon emissions of just 0.7 tonnes per year, the property already performs well. However, a Whole House Plan identified further steps to enhance comfort, lower running costs, and improve efficiency.

Cathy and Justyn, Botley, Oxford
“We were aware of the rising energy costs and thought, ‘OK, let’s give the Whole House Plan a try.’ Our main concerns at the time were the cost of heating and damp issues in the bathroom. We were also looking for solutions like a new double-glazed front door, humidity controls, and insulation under the floorboards.”
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