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A House Like Mine guide for homeowners

We carried out 12 case studies on different house types in Oxford to see how your home could benefit from energy efficiency home improvements.

Improving your home’s energy efficiency can make it warmer, healthier, cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly. This process is called retrofitting.

In the UK, we have some of the worst performing and least energy efficient homes in Europe!

The government is committed to helping to solve this problem because better quality homes will improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequality, improve the economy and improve the environment.

Government grant funding is available for the worst performing houses and for people who may need the most help, for example those on a low income or with particular health conditions.

Whatever your motivation, there will be multiple benefits to you and our wider society in investing in your home.

We want these resources to help people start their journey to making their home more energy efficient. In particular, we want to help people take those first steps.

Large home improvements can often require time and investment, however you can make smaller changes that will improve the comfort and warmth of your home quickly and importantly, make your home healthier to live in.

Making small changes can make a real difference – especially if you are living in a cold home or are vulnerable. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence highlights that living in a cold home increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, breathing problems, flu, depression and falls.  Investing in energy efficiency and renewables for your home can also add to its value.

1 tonne of carbon is equivalent to driving a petrol car 5,000 miles

The case studies were created using a Whole House Plan approach. A Whole House Plan is an energy efficiency strategy for an entire house based on best practice to achievenet zero (as green as it can be).

In this guide, we highlight all the measures needed achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C, along with a suggested order to implement them. This helps to ensure an efficient approach and can help save you money and hassle in the long run. EPC C is often used as a national minimum target for energy efficiency, but you can go further if you want!

Find your property’s EPC at https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate

It is important to remember that you do not have to do all of the measures at once. If budgets are tight, you can undertake smaller measures or do things like internal room insulation room by room.

The case studies also take a fabric first approach. This means prioritising improvements to the house itself to reduce heat loss. All types of insulation are an example of a fabric improvement measure.

With this approach, house fabric improvements are recommended before introducing measures such as new heating or hot water systems. The advantage of this is that your energy needs are lower so you can move to smaller radiators or other heating systems with lower running costs.

The range of improvements will vary depending on your particular house. The costs in the case studies are real estimations for that particular house. Every home is different – this is a guide not a rule book, so find out which approach is best for you.

  • Financial support is available for retrofitting! Find out if you are eligible for a grant https://www.oxford.gov.uk/retrofitting-home/grants-financial-support
  • Think of these improvements as a long term investment that can add value to your property.
  • As well as lowering your energy bills, you can significantly improve the comfort of your home and improve your health by investing in energy efficiency.
  • The case studies were done using a Whole House Plan approach that demonstrates best practice – costs can vary considerably depending on materials and style.
  • A whole house plan is a valuable part of the process.
  • The order you install measures can be important to save money in the long run.
  • You don’t need to do all the measures, you can do some of them or do it in phases.
  • It’s hard to generalise energy efficiency home improvements because every home is different.

Find out how to start your journey by selecting the case study most similar to your house. This will show you the type of improvements that can be made and what impact they can have.

You can create your own energy efficiency home improvement plan by using online tools such as the Government’s Find ways to save energy in your home  https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency

Or the Cosy Homes Plan Builder https://app.cosyhomesoxfordshire.org/

To access further support on energy efficiency home improvements, grant funding and support services please visit houselikemine.org.

Pre-1900s mid-terrace, Kingston Road, Oxford

Current EPC rating: 66 D. Potential EPC rating: 91B

Owner-occupied mid-terrace in a conservation area

This case study features a 4-bedroom mid-terrace home, occupied by two adults, located 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, and an annual energy use of 24,225 kWh – equating to 170 kWh per square metre. Its carbon emissions stand at 5 tonnes per year, highlighting the potential for significant energy savings and carbon reduction through carefully planned upgrades.

1950s semi-detached, Marston, Oxford

Current EPC rating: 67 D. Potential EPC rating: 97A

Family home with room to improve energy efficiency

This case study focuses on a semi-detached, 3-bedroom home occupied by a family of five – two adults and three children. The property has a total floor area of 95 m² (1,023 ft²) and features cavity walls with a timber frame extension, solid concrete floors, and a pitched roof with a loft.

The home is fitted with uPVC double-glazed windows and has an annual energy use of 15,978 kWh, which equates to 170 kWh per square metre. Current carbon emissions are 3.3 tonnes per year, indicating opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact through strategic upgrades.

1900s detached, Botley, Oxford

Current EPC rating: 47 E. Potential EPC rating: 92A

Detached family home with potential for significant energy savings

This case study features a 3-bedroom detached home occupied by two adults and one child. With a total floor area of 138 m² (1,485 ft²), the property is built with solid brick walls, suspended timber floors, and a pitched roof with a loft.

The windows are a mix of single and double glazing, combining timber and uPVC frames, with multiple bay windows adding character to the home. Annual energy use is currently 38,180 kWh, equivalent to 276 kWh per square metre, resulting in carbon emissions of 7.1 tonnes per year. These figures highlight significant opportunities to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions through a carefully designed retrofit plan.

1950s steel-framed ‘Howard House’, Rose Hill, Oxford

Current EPC rating: 59 D. Potential EPC rating: 95A

Semi-detached steel-frame home with energy-saving opportunities

This case study focuses on a 3-bedroom semi-detached home occupied by one adult. The property spans 100 m² (1,076 ft²) and 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.

The windows are uPVC double glazed, contributing to some energy efficiency. However, the home’s annual energy use is 22,400 kWh, equating to 224 kWh per square metre, with carbon emissions of 4.7 tonnes per year. These figures suggest significant potential for improvement through a tailored Whole House Plan, enabling the property to become more energy-efficient and future-ready.

1920s semi-detached, Rose Hill, Oxford

Current EPC rating: 62 D. Potential EPC: 98A

Compact 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 tailored Whole House Plan could identify opportunities to further enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and create a more comfortable living environment.

1930s semi-detached, Rose Hill, Oxford

Current EPC rating: 65 D. Potential EPC: 99A

Energy-saving potential in a cosy semi-detached home

This case study features a 3-bedroom semi-detached home occupied by a retired couple. With a compact floor area of 70 m² (753 ft²), the property has cavity walls with solid bay window walls, suspended timber floors, and a pitched roof with a loft.

The windows are double-glazed uPVC, including bay windows that add character to the home. The property’s annual energy use is 13,644 kWh, which translates to 188 kWh per square metre, with carbon emissions of 2.8 tonnes per year. A bespoke Whole House Plan could help identify ways to optimise energy efficiency, reduce bills, and improve comfort in this well-loved home.

1940s semi-detached, St. Clements, Oxford

Current EPC rating: 67 D. Potential EPC: 91 A

Spacious semi-detached home with room to improve efficiency

This case study focuses on a large 4-bedroom semi-detached home occupied by two adults. With a generous floor area of 222 m² (2,389 ft²), the property features cavity walls, a mix of suspended timber and solid floors, and a pitched roof with a room-in-roof design.

The windows are timber, a combination of single and double glazing, which offer some insulation but leave room for upgrades. The home’s annual energy use is 32,982 kWh, equating to 150 kWh per square metre, with carbon emissions of 6.4 tonnes per year. By following a tailored Whole House Plan, the property could achieve significant energy savings while enhancing comfort and sustainability.

Pre-1900s mid-terrace, Osney Island, Oxford

Current EPC rating: 64 D. Potential EPC: 92A

Characterful mid-terrace home with diverse energy-saving opportunities

This case study highlights a 5-bedroom mid-terrace home, occupied by a couple with lodgers, situated in a conservation area. Spanning 177 m² (1,905 ft²), the property combines solid brick and cavity walls, solid concrete floors, and a pitched roof with rooms-in-roof.

The timber windows are a mix of single, secondary, and double glazing, reflecting the property’s unique character but leaving room for energy efficiency improvements. With an annual energy use of 25,712 kWh – equivalent to 146 kWh per square metre – and carbon emissions of 5.2 tonnes per year, a bespoke Whole House Plan could help identify targeted upgrades to improve comfort, cut costs, and reduce environmental impact while respecting its heritage features.

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