We group the US into five broad climate types. They're a starting point: elevation, coastlines and microclimates change things, so adjust for what you see where you live.
Northeast, Midwest, northern Plains and mountain areas
Freezing pipes, ice dams, snow loads and heating systems dominate the year.
Mid-Atlantic, Ohio and Tennessee valleys, central states
Both heating and cooling matter, with occasional hard freezes and summer storms.
Southeast, Gulf Coast and Florida
Humidity, mold, pests, hurricanes and air conditioning come first.
Desert Southwest and parts of Texas and California
Sun damage, cooling, water use, dust and wildfire readiness matter most.
Pacific coast and the Pacific Northwest
Rain, moss, drainage and moisture control lead the list; freezes are rare but possible.
Ask yourself two questions: do pipes freeze where you live most winters, and are summers humid or dry? A neighbor who has lived there for years, or your local cooperative extension office, can also tell you a lot about what local homes need.