Retrofitting a large Victorian family home

In North Oxford, a family transformed their 1880s Victorian home with insulation, glazing, and a heat pump – cutting carbon and improving comfort.

For Meg and her family, retrofitting their home was about tackling both climate change and comfort. Their Victorian semi was draughty, hard to heat, and costly to run – but they saw the chance to prove that even a large, older property could be upgraded with sustainable materials and modern technology.

The home was assessed and measured and provided with a Whole House Plan before proceeding with any work.

About the home

Built in the 1880s, this Victorian semi-detached house also had a two-storey extension added in 2013. It’s a well-maintained, multi-storey property that has served as a family home for years. The homeowners loved the space it offered, especially for hosting friends and family.

Retrofit Coordinator Mark Saunders explained that the ceilings were removed to install the underfloor heating ducting, which is fitted into trays mounted between the joists of the floor above.

Why retrofit?

Climate concerns

The homeowners were motivated by the need to reduce their home’s carbon emissions. Having already made low-carbon choices in other areas of their lives, they felt it was time to tackle their home’s inefficiency. They wanted to show how even large, older houses could be improved and, in the process, support Oxfordshire’s growing low-carbon building industry.

"Houses like this are incredibly energy inefficient, so from the start, we knew we'd have to improve it significantly if we bought it." Meg — *“Houses like this are incredibly energy inefficient, so from the start, we knew we’d have to improve it significantly if we bought it.”* Meg, homeowner

Comfort issues

The home had always been cold in winter, with noticeable draughts and cold spots. Heating bills were high, but warmth escaped quickly through single-glazed windows, floors, and walls.

“You could really feel the cold spots and draughts, especially around the single-glazed windows and under doors. It took a lot of energy to keep the house warm.”
Meg, North Oxford

What we did

Cosy Homes Oxfordshire developed a Whole House Plan, identifying the best upgrades and the order in which to tackle them.

The key measures included:

Installing new double-glazed sash windows
Adding internal wall insulation with wood fibre
Installing an air source heat pump
Underfloor insulation and heating
Re-roofing with loft insulation
Setting up centralised mechanical extract ventilation

“We needed to make it more energy efficient to feel comfortable living here for many years.”
Meg, North Oxford

The biggest initial step was applying internal wall insulation to three sides of the house. This meant removing the plaster, fitting wood fibre insulation, and re-plastering. Wood fibre was chosen because it’s breathable, renewable, and ideal for older solid-wall properties.

"A ground source heat pump would’ve required too much work in the garden, so an air source heat pump was the obvious choice. We were excited to find it was compatible with a house of this size." — “A ground source heat pump would’ve required too much work in the garden, so an air source heat pump was the obvious choice. We were excited to find it was compatible with a house of this size.”

Once the insulation was complete, the loft and floors were upgraded, and the gas heating system was removed. An air source heat pump was installed in the cellar, linked to underfloor heating across the property.

To protect the building and ensure healthy air circulation, a mechanical ventilation system was also added.

Sustainable Materials

The homeowners wanted to use sustainable, natural materials wherever possible. Their choices included:

Wood fibre insulation – breathable and renewable, made from timber offcuts
Cotton insulation – made from recycled denim jeans, offering sound and thermal benefits
Cork insulation – harvested from tree bark, ideal for damp spaces like bathrooms and basements
Recycled glass – used under the cellar floor to form a honeycomb structure that keeps moisture out

"One of the biggest challenges was accepting that some waste is inevitable with any building project. We wanted to minimise the impact of emissions from new materials wherever possible." Meg, Cosy Homes Oxfordshire client — “One of the biggest challenges was accepting that some waste is inevitable with any building project. We wanted to minimise the impact of emissions from new materials wherever possible.” Meg

Samples: Wood fibre insulation (top left), Cork insulation (bottom left), Recycled Glass (top right), Calsitherm (bottom right)

“We really appreciated Geordie’s technical expertise and experience. His knowledge of different properties helped us tackle issues we didn’t fully understand, and his personal approach made the process smoother.“

Why Cosy Homes Oxfordshire?

The homeowners valued the expertise and tailored advice they received. Retrofit Coordinator Geordie Stewart’s knowledge of older homes was especially important.

Retrofit Scheme Manager, Geordie Stewart

Geordie was recognised as Retrofit Coordinator of the year for his work with Cosy Homes at The Retrofit Academy Awards 2022 — Geordie was recognised as Retrofit Coordinator of the year for his work at The Retrofit Academy Awards 2022

“With our busy jobs and young family, we had no expertise or time for a project this ambitious. The support we received made all the difference – we wouldn’t have had the courage to do it on our own.”

The impact

By following the Whole House Plan, the retrofit significantly reduced the home’s energy use. The house is now much warmer and more comfortable year-round, with a smaller carbon footprint and lower running costs.

Is it time to transform your Victorian home?

Meg and her family’s journey shows what’s possible with the right guidance. By combining insulation, glazing, ventilation, and a heat pump, they’ve cut carbon, reduced bills, and made their Victorian home comfortable in every season.

So, take the first step with a free consultation. Our team of experienced Retrofit Advisers will listen to your goals, help you understand what’s possible, and outline the best next steps – no pressure, no obligation.

Smarter home upgrades. Backed by trusted retrofit expertise.

Book your free consultation