
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
This five-bedroom mid-terrace home in a conservation area has a mix of solid brick and cavity walls, timber windows, and rooms-in-roof. The homeowners wanted to improve energy efficiency without compromising the home’s character, but weren’t sure where to start.
A Whole House Plan helped them understand:
- Where heat was escaping – revealed through thermal imaging
- Which improvements would have the biggest impact – from insulation to glazing
- How to plan upgrades in stages – balancing budget and priorities
With this expert guidance, they now have a clear plan for making their home more efficient over time.
Is this a house like yours? Get a clear, step-by-step plan for making it more efficient with a whole house assessment.

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
his five-bedroom end-terrace home, located in a conservation area, had solid walls, suspended timber floors, and a mix of single, double, and secondary glazing. With high energy use and carbon emissions, the homeowners wanted to improve efficiency while maintaining the home’s character.
A Whole House Plan helped them:
- Identify where heat was being lost and how to address it
- Explore insulation and glazing upgrades suited to a conservation area
- Plan improvements in a way that balanced cost, impact, and heritage considerations
With this expert guidance, this landlord now has a clear, step-by-step plan to make the property more energy efficient over time.
Is this a house like yours? Get a clear, step-by-step plan for making it more efficient with a whole house assessment.

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 four-bedroom mid-terrace home, with a mix of solid brick walls and a cavity wall extension, had high energy use and carbon emissions. The homeowners wanted to make their home more efficient while preserving its character.
A Whole House Plan helped them:
- Understand where heat was being lost and how to reduce energy waste
- Identify insulation and ventilation improvements suited to a conservation area
- Plan a phased approach to upgrades, balancing efficiency and heritage considerations
Now, they have a clear, expert-backed plan to improve their home’s energy performance over time.
Is this a house like yours? Get a clear, step-by-step plan for making it more efficient with a whole house assessment.

1900s mid-terrace, Littlemore, Oxford (Rental)
Current EPC rating: 62 D. Potential EPC: 100 A
This three-bedroom mid-terrace family home had inconsistent insulation due to a mix of uPVC double glazing, single glazing, and bay windows. With high energy use and carbon emissions, the homeowners wanted to reduce heat loss and improve comfort for their family.
A Whole House Plan helped them:
- Identify key areas of heat loss and practical solutions to improve efficiency
- Explore insulation and glazing upgrades to balance cost and impact
- Develop a phased plan to reduce energy bills and cut carbon emissions over time
Now, the landlord has a clear roadmap to make his home warmer, more efficient, and future-ready.
Is this a house like yours? Get a clear, step-by-step plan for making it more efficient with a whole house assessment.

1900s detached, Botley, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 47 E. Potential EPC rating: 92 A
This three-bedroom detached family home had high energy use and significant heat loss, with a mix of single and double glazing, solid brick walls, and suspended timber floors. The homeowners wanted to improve comfort, reduce bills, and lower their carbon footprint.
A Whole House Plan helped them:
- Identify where energy was being wasted and how to address it
- Explore insulation, glazing, and heating upgrades for maximum impact
- Develop a step-by-step plan to cut energy costs and emissions over time
Now, they have a clear strategy to make their home more efficient, comfortable, and future-ready.
Is this a house like yours? Get a clear, step-by-step plan for making it more efficient with a whole house assessment.

1920s semi-detached, Rose Hill, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 62 D. Potential EPC: 100 A
This three-bedroom semi-detached home had recently upgraded to modern double-glazed windows, improving insulation. However, the homeowners wanted to go further—reducing energy use, cutting emissions, and making their home more comfortable year-round.
A Whole House Plan helped them:
- Identify remaining areas of heat loss and how to address them
- Explore additional retrofit measures beyond glazing for greater impact
- Develop a structured plan to improve efficiency and reduce running costs over time
Now, they have a clear strategy to build on their existing upgrades and maximise their home’s energy performance.
Is this a house like yours? Get a clear, step-by-step plan for making it more efficient with a whole house assessment.

1930s semi-detached, Rose Hill, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 65 D. Potential EPC: 99 A
This three-bedroom semi-detached home had double glazing and cavity walls, but areas like the solid bay window walls and suspended timber floors still contributed to heat loss. The homeowners, a retired couple, wanted to reduce energy bills and improve comfort for the long term.
A Whole House Plan helped them:
- Identify key insulation improvements to enhance warmth and efficiency
- Explore targeted upgrades to reduce energy waste and lower costs
- Develop a step-by-step plan to future-proof their home for years to come
Now, they have a clear strategy to make their home warmer, more efficient, and cost-effective.
Is this a house like yours? Get a clear, step-by-step plan for making it more efficient with a whole house assessment.

1940s semi-detached, St. Clements, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 67 D. Potential EPC: 91 A
This spacious four-bedroom semi-detached home had inconsistent insulation due to a mix of single and double-glazed timber windows, suspended timber floors, and a room-in-roof design. The homeowners wanted to improve efficiency, cut energy costs, and create a more comfortable living space.
A Whole House Plan helped them:
- Pinpoint areas of heat loss and the most effective ways to address them
- Explore insulation and glazing upgrades to improve efficiency throughout the home
- Develop a structured plan to reduce energy waste and lower carbon emissions over time
Now, they have a clear strategy to enhance their home’s efficiency while maintaining its character.
Is this a house like yours? Get a clear, step-by-step plan for making it more efficient with a whole house assessment.

1950s semi-detached, Marston, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 67 D. Potential EPC rating: 100 A
This three-bedroom semi-detached family home had double glazing and cavity walls, providing reasonable insulation. However, with a timber frame extension and solid concrete floors, there was still room to improve efficiency and reduce energy waste.
A Whole House Plan helped the homeowners:
- Identify further insulation opportunities to enhance warmth and comfort
- Explore ways to lower energy use and reduce carbon emissions
- Develop a structured plan to cut costs and future-proof their home
Now, they have a clear, expert-backed strategy to make their home as efficient and cost-effective as possible.
Is this a house like yours? Get a clear, step-by-step plan for making it more efficient with a whole house assessment.

1950s end-terrace, Blackbird Leys, Oxford (Rental)
Current EPC rating: 68 D. Potential EPC: 100 A
This three-bedroom end-terrace family home had modern double glazing, but with a mix of cavity and solid walls and solid concrete floors, there was still significant potential to improve efficiency and reduce energy costs.
A Whole House Plan helped the landlords:
- Identify insulation upgrades to reduce heat loss and improve comfort
- Explore the most effective ways to cut energy consumption and carbon emissions
- Develop a clear plan to future-proof their home while keeping running costs low
Now, the landlord has a step-by-step strategy to make her home warmer, more efficient, and cost-effective.
Is this a house like yours? Get a clear, step-by-step plan for making it more efficient with a whole house assessment.

1950s steel-framed ‘Howard House’, Rose Hill, Oxford (Homeowner)
Current EPC rating: 59 D. Potential EPC rating: 96 A
This three-bedroom rental property, built with steel-frame construction and cement panel infill, had high energy use despite modern double glazing. The landlord wanted to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and future-proof the home for long-term tenants.
A Whole House Plan provided:
- A detailed assessment of where energy was being lost and how to address it
- Expert recommendations for insulation, ventilation, and heating upgrades
- A phased plan to enhance comfort while improving the property’s EPC rating
Now, the homeowner has a clear, structured strategy to increase energy efficiency and add long-term value to the property.
Is this a house like yours? Get a clear, step-by-step plan for making it more efficient with a whole house assessment.

1990s top-floor flat, Temple Cowley, Oxford (Rental)
Current EPC rating: 65 D. Potential EPC: 85 B
This one-bedroom top-floor flat, located in a conservation area, already had double glazing and relatively low energy use. However, the landlord wanted to further improve efficiency, lower running costs, and enhance tenant comfort.
A Whole House Plan provided:
- Insights into insulation and ventilation improvements suited to a conservation area
- Recommendations for reducing heat loss through the roof and timber frame walls
- A step-by-step plan to boost efficiency while maintaining the property’s character
Now, the landlord has a clear strategy to future-proof the property and enhance its long-term value.
Is this a house like yours? Get a clear, step-by-step plan for making it more efficient with a whole house assessment.

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