Across the state, energy costs continue to rise. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Pennsylvania residents paid an average of 17.08 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity as of 2024 — slightly above the national average. That’s not just numbers on a bill. That’s hundreds of dollars more per year, especially in homes that aren’t properly insulated or ventilated.
Roofs play a big role in this. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that nearly 25% to 35% of a home’s heating and cooling energy is lost through the roof. For Pennsylvania homes — many of which were built before modern efficiency standards — that’s thousands of BTUs wasted every winter and summer.
This is where metal roofing becomes more than just an aesthetic upgrade. When built as a complete system — with thermal insulation, proper ventilation, and radiant control — it becomes one of the most energy-efficient changes a homeowner can make.
What separates a high-efficiency metal roof from a regular metal installation is what’s underneath.
A quality metal roofing system starts below the panels. It’s designed from the roof deck up — engineered to manage heat, moisture, and airflow through all four seasons.
American Remodeling Enterprise builds each roofing system with these essential components:
Together, these elements create a balanced system. Heat doesn’t get trapped. The cold doesn’t penetrate. Moisture doesn’t build up. And conditioned air stays where it belongs — inside the house.
Pennsylvania summers are getting hotter. NOAA data shows average summer temperatures in the state have risen by nearly 2°F over the past century. For homeowners, this means longer AC runtimes and higher utility bills.
Traditional roofing materials, like asphalt shingles, absorb solar radiation. A dark roof in July can reach surface temperatures of 150°F to 190°F. That heat radiates into the attic and transfers into the living space, forcing cooling systems to work overtime.
Metal roofing systems disrupt this cycle. When coated with reflective pigments — which many ENERGY STAR–rated panels have — metal roofs can reflect up to 70% of solar energy. According to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, this can reduce surface roof temperatures by as much as 50°F compared to traditional shingles.
But the real savings come from what’s below the panels. Radiant barriers and ventilation channels prevent heat buildup in the attic. Even on the hottest days, vented metal roofing systems can keep attic temperatures closer to outdoor ambient levels, not 30–40°F above it. That translates directly into reduced strain on cooling systems — and cooling cost reductions of up to 25%, depending on the home’s configuration.
In Pennsylvania’s long winters, the challenges reverse. Now the goal is to keep heat in and moisture out. Ice dams, attic condensation, and heat loss are common roofing issues here — especially in older homes or those with poor insulation.
A complete metal roofing system helps in several ways:
According to a study by the Cold Climate Housing Research Center, proper attic insulation paired with a vented metal roof reduced the risk of ice dam formation by over 80% in tested homes. This is critical in regions like central and northeast Pennsylvania, where winter storms are common and temperature swings cause freeze-thaw cycles almost weekly.
Instead of letting warm air melt rooftop snow — which later refreezes into damaging ice dams — a vented and insulated system stabilizes the temperature of the roof surface. It keeps it uniformly cold from edge to peak, protecting both energy performance and the home’s structure.
Let’s break this into real numbers.
A typical single-family home in Pennsylvania spends about $2,500 to $3,000 per year on energy, according to local utility data. Heating and cooling account for over 50% of that.
If you can reduce those energy needs by even 20%, you’re saving $500 to $600 annually. Over a 30-year period — which is modest for a metal roof’s lifespan — that’s $15,000 to $18,000 saved, not including any future energy rate hikes.
Factor in that American Remodeling Enterprise backs its roofing systems with a 100% lifetime warranty, and the long-term value becomes clearer. You’re not just buying a metal roof. You’re investing in a permanent energy control system — one that won’t need replacing or repairing every 10 to 15 years.
Not all metal roofs are the same. Homeowners often assume the panels do all the work. But the real performance — the year-round energy savings — comes from how the roof is engineered as a system.
This includes:
That’s why your choice of installer matters just as much as your choice of material. A basic installation won’t bring lasting energy benefits. You need someone who understands how all the layers work together — and how the Pennsylvania climate affects them.
Pennsylvania homeowners sometimes overlook critical elements in a roofing upgrade. These details can make or break your energy savings:
Installing a reflective roof is only half the equation. If the attic beneath isn’t properly insulated to R-49 or higher, heat will still move in and out, limiting your savings.
A sealed attic with poor airflow traps heat and moisture. That degrades insulation over time. A balanced venting system (intake + exhaust) keeps the space dry and thermally stable.
The paint or coating on your roof matters. Lighter finishes reflect more solar radiation. Look for high solar reflectance index (SRI) coatings rated by ENERGY STAR.
If a roofer only talks about shingles, panels, and fasteners — and not about insulation or venting — you’re likely getting a surface-level upgrade, not an energy-efficient one.
This is where American Remodeling Enterprise stands out. They build each roof with systemic performance in mind, from vent baffles to decking materials to panel fasteners.
Let’s talk about longevity.
A well-installed asphalt shingle roof may last 15 to 25 years. In practice, that’s often shorter in Pennsylvania’s weather. Between heavy snow, freeze-thaw cycles, summer UV, and storm damage, shingles degrade fast.
In contrast, metal roofs installed as full systems regularly last 40 to 70 years, and sometimes more.
But lifespan isn’t just about durability — it’s about performance retention. A metal roofing system:
That means you’re not just avoiding replacement. You’re preserving energy performance every year the roof is on your home.
And with a 100% lifetime warranty from American Remodeling Enterprise, your investment is protected for as long as you live in the home — and transferable if you sell.
Let’s ground this in real experience.
Many Pennsylvania homeowners who’ve upgraded to metal roofing systems from American Remodeling Enterprise report:
These aren’t marketing claims. They’re measurable results supported by home energy audits before and after installation.
In one case study from a Harrisburg-area home built in the 1980s:
And all of this came without a need to replace the roof again — ever.
