A House Like Mine
A smarter way to plan your home’s energy future
We all want homes that are warmer, healthier, and more future-ready. But when it comes to energy efficiency, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming – especially with so many stories of upgrades gone wrong.
That’s why the A House Like Mine project was created.
This collaborative initiative from Oxford City Council with Low Carbon Hub and Cosy Homes Oxfordshire set out with a simple but powerful idea: to help people picture the potential of energy improvements in a home like theirs – and see what’s possible through the eyes of others who’ve taken the first step.
The idea was first piloted in Charlbury under a different name. Oxford took it forward as A House Like Mine – and it proved so popular that Charlbury has since rebranded their original case studies to join the collection. The project is now expanding across Oxfordshire, with other councils also exploring how to adopt it.
By featuring familiar house types – from Victorian terraces to 1970s semis – and the people who live in them, A House Like Mine shows how energy upgrades can work in everyday homes, for everyday lives.
“The Whole House Plan was extremely helpful. It provided a detailed cost breakdown and will help us prioritise our next steps. This advice was far better than the fragmented input from tradespeople, who just focus on their specific projects rather than take a whole house approach.”
Louise, Marston, Oxford
From typical homes to tailored plans
Each of the twelve featured properties received a bespoke Whole House Plan from Cosy Homes Oxfordshire. This detailed assessment looks at how the home is currently performing and recommends upgrades that work together – tailored to that specific house, its condition, and how it’s used day to day.
The core aim? To help homeowners reach at least an EPC C rating as cost-effectively as possible – often through practical, staged improvements. And for those who want to go further, the plans also outline what it would take to reach EPC A: a perfectly warm, low-carbon and highly energy efficient home.
The result is more than just a list of measures. It’s a personalised roadmap for a home that’s not only more comfortable and affordable to run, but also fit for the future.
What this means for you
Even if you’re just starting to think about energy efficiency, the case studies in this project can help you see the bigger picture. They show what homeowners and landlords discovered about their homes, and how a clear plan gave them the insight to move forward on their own terms, when the time and budget were right.
Already have a good idea of the upgrades you want? The Cosy Homes Oxfordshire team can help you take the next step, offering advice to make sure your plans are practical, effective, and aligned with your wider goals. And if you’re not ready for a Whole House Plan just yet, that’s fine – we can still help you get started in the right direction.
This isn’t about rushing into costly action. It’s about understanding what your home needs – and having a trusted plan to guide your next steps, whether you start now or later.
“We were aware of rising energy costs and thought, ‘OK, let’s give the Whole House Plan a try.’ Our main concerns were heating costs and damp issues. We were also looking for solutions like a new front door, humidity controls, and floor insulation.”
Cathy and Justyn, Botley, Oxford
A step toward zero carbon living
A House Like Mine is more than a collection of stories – it’s part of a wider mission to show that retrofit is achievable, impactful, and increasingly normal.
With Oxford’s most common house types as a starting point, and real residents sharing their experiences, this project offers inspiration that feels close to home – and points the way for others to follow.
Real stories, real plans
Want to understand what a Whole House Plan can lead to? A House Like Mine brings that journey to life through detailed case studies – covering everything from Victorian terraces to modern flats, each with its own character, quirks, and real-world challenges.
Each story shows what happened after the homeowner or landlord received a tailored Whole House Plan – a detailed roadmap designed to help them reach at least an EPC C rating as cost-effectively as possible, with additional options for going even further. It’s a personalised strategy, not just for reducing energy use and cutting carbon, but for creating a home that’s truly fit for the future.
Whether you’re just starting to think about making changes or already planning your next upgrade, these stories offer insight, reassurance, and inspiration – and a clear reminder that people like you are already taking the first step.