Households with a loft hatch have been advised to open it during the current heatwave as a simple method to cool their homes and improve sleep. The tip comes as the UK recorded a new June high temperature of 35.7C at Charlwood, Surrey, on Wednesday afternoon, with forecasters warning that temperatures could surpass the UK record of 40.3C set in July 2022.
Heatwave conditions and red warning
The heatwave, driven by a 'heat-dome' over western Europe, has prompted a rare red warning for extreme heat, along with health alerts, school closures, and transport disruption. Much of southern England and the Midlands are experiencing temperatures in the high 30s, while northern areas may see mid-30s on Thursday. 'Tropical nights' with temperatures around 20C have made nighttime particularly uncomfortable.
Expert advice on using your loft hatch
Oliver Novakovic of Barratt and David Wilson Homes recommends keeping the loft hatch open during hot weather. 'As the hot air rises in your home, it can often get trapped on the second floor, where you may be trying to sleep,' he said. 'Opening the loft hatch can allow the air to rise further and away from your bedroom, helping to bring overall temperatures down.'
Additional cooling tips
Novakovic also advises preventing excess heat during the day. He suggests keeping windows closed during the hottest periods, especially south-facing ones, and drawing curtains to block sunlight. 'At the time of day when temperatures are highest, draw the curtains to keep the sun out, and close the windows to keep out hot air,' he explained. 'Then, as it gets cooler, you can open windows and doors - preferably at opposite sides of the house - to let in some fresh air flow through. Early morning or late evening is the best time to do this.'
Turning off electrical appliances on standby can also reduce heat generation. Novakovic recommends checking for TVs, computers, gaming consoles, and phone chargers, and switching them off at the wall, especially overnight while sleeping.
