UK residents are being advised to open their loft hatches this weekend as temperatures are expected to soar across the country, in an effort to prevent homes from turning into heat traps. Joseph Holman, CEO of home energy efficiency company Green Doors, has recommended a range of practical steps for managing heat inside British homes, including the surprising but effective move of opening the loft hatch.
“During a heatwave, hot air naturally rises,” Holman explained.
“Opening your loft hatch allows that hot air to escape upwards instead of being trapped in your living areas. It’s a simple, passive way to regulate the temperature inside your home, especially in older houses where insulation and air flow aren’t designed with heatwaves in mind.”
The advice comes as the UK braces for a spell of unseasonably high temperatures.
According to Holman, combining the loft hatch strategy with other cooling measures can dramatically improve indoor comfort.
“In the short term, keeping doors, windows and blinds closed during the day can make a big difference,” he said.
“Think of it like a cave, dark, insulated, and sealed from the heat.”
Holman likened managing indoor heat to the principles of air conditioning.
“If you had the aircon on, you wouldn’t leave the windows open, so you shouldn’t do that even without aircon. You want to stop warm air from coming in and reduce any internal sources of heat, including lights.”
He also offered long-term suggestions for heat-proofing British homes, such as installing tinted window film or integral blinds.
“Modern glazing with reflective properties can block heat in summer and retain warmth in winter,” he said. “Integral blinds are more durable and efficient than external ones and don’t damage the window frame.”
But for now, Holman says households can take small, no-cost actions to stay cooler during the heatwave.
He added: “Close your curtains, shut the windows, turn off the lights, and crucially, open your loft hatch. Let the heat rise and escape. It’s simple physics, and it works.”