5.9 million
U.S. commercial buildings
The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimated 5.9 million commercial buildings in 2018.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2018 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey ↗Key commercial roof and building facts
Roof decisions sit inside a larger energy, weather, and building-maintenance picture. The figures below are drawn from federal sources and kept in their original context so they are useful to quote accurately.
6.8 quadrillion Btu
Commercial-building energy use
Those commercial buildings consumed 6.8 quadrillion British thermal units of energy in 2018.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2018 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey ↗$141 billion
Commercial-building energy spending
Commercial buildings spent an estimated $141 billion on energy in 2018.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2018 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey ↗Nearly one-third
Energy used for space heating
Space heating accounted for close to one-third of commercial-building end-use energy consumption in 2018.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2018 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey ↗1–7°F
Typical daytime urban heat difference
U.S. urban areas are typically 1–7°F warmer than outlying areas during the day.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Heat Island Effect, accessed August 19, 2026 ↗2–5°F
Typical nighttime urban heat difference
U.S. urban areas are typically 2–5°F warmer than outlying areas at night.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Heat Island Effect, accessed August 19, 2026 ↗Up to 66°F
Roof surface temperature above air
On a warm day, conventional roofing materials may reach as much as 66°F above surrounding air temperature.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Heat Island Effect, accessed August 19, 2026 ↗1–9%
Air-conditioning demand increase
Electricity demand for air conditioning rises 1–9% for each 2°F increase in temperature, according to the EPA summary of research.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Heat Island Effect, accessed August 19, 2026 ↗What this means for a roof
Heat at the roof surface is part of the building conversation.
A roof is exposed to sun, weather, standing water, foot traffic, and equipment activity every day. A high-reflectance roof coating can reduce solar heat absorbed at the roof surface, but the right decision still depends on the membrane, drainage, repairs, insulation, climate, building use, and the condition of the existing roof.
These nationwide figures are context, not a performance promise. A professional roof inspection is the practical way to understand what a specific building needs.
Schedule a commercial roof inspection →Methodology and sources
How to use these statistics
GM Systems selected government sources that state the number, scope, and date directly. The building-energy figures come from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's 2018 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey. Heat-island and roof-temperature figures come from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's public heat-island resources, accessed August 19, 2026.
Each statistic links to its original source. Figures are not adjusted or projected beyond the source language. This page will be reviewed regularly and updated when a key source publishes newer data.
Cite this page
GM Systems Inc. “Commercial Roof Heat and Energy Statistics.” Updated August 19, 2026. GM Systems Commercial Roof Statistics