The UK has been hit by a severe heatwave - with temperatures predicted to hit 39C and 'tropical nights' meaning few people are getting any sleep10:09, 26 Jun 2026With the mercury soaring, Britons are being bombarded with tips on how to keep their homes cool. The UK has been gripped by a fierce heatwave, with temperatures forecast to reach 39C and 'tropical nights' leaving countless people tossing and turning.‌One expert has revealed that homeowners can use their loft as a funnel to draw heat out of the house, rapidly cooling the upper floors. The idea is simple - if you have a loft, open the hatch, and if there's a window up there, throw that open too.‌As heat rises, it gets drawn upwards and out. Instagram interior and building tips account house_by_luna explained: "Open the attic hatch when it's boiling hot upstairs... sounds mad, but it actually works and the hot trapped air is released. Thermostat dropped instantly."‌One sceptical follower questioned: "Is your attic not boiling too though? We were up in ours and it's way way hotter than the house cause of wool insulation?" house_by_luna replied: "Turns out there's a simple reason this works. The hot air rises. Opening the loft hatch gives all that trapped warm air upstairs somewhere to go, and if your loft is ventilated, some of that heat can escape altogether."The hack piqued the interest of followers, with one commenting: "Ooh great idea. Another added: " Another added: "Oh wow I need to try this.".Content cannot be displayed without consent‌A BBC expert backed up the theory, stating: "Hot air rises within houses, so if you have loft vents or windows you can open them to release some of the heat. The hot air can otherwise get trapped on the second floor, where you may be trying to sleep."Extra insulation can also help keep heat out in the summer, as well as reducing your energy bills and usage in the winter."Ideal Home added: "Opening your loft hatch can be a surprisingly effective way to cool your home. Heat naturally rises, which means the top floor is often the warmest part of the house. By opening the hatch, you're giving that trapped hot air a route to escape, helping to bring down the overall temperature indoors".Article continues below"If your loft has a window, opening it alongside other windows around the house can improve airflow, drawing cooler air through and allowing heat to vent from the highest point. This is especially efficient if your loft is insulated at rafter level."Despite being a common feature in many homes, loft hatches are often overlooked as a way to manage heat. If your home feels uncomfortably warm, opening the hatch as soon as possible can make a real difference."During a heatwave, throwing open your windows can actually backfire, allowing scorching air to flood inside your home. Instead, opening your loft hatch lets the hot air escape upwards without drawing any additional warmth in. When temperatures are at their peak, it's also advisable to keep your blinds and curtains firmly shut.