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I'm not an expert in energy consumption between localities (much less countries), but one thing to consider is house construction. House construction in the Ne

I'm not an expert in energy consumption between localities (much less countries), but one thing to consider is house construction. House construction in the Netherlands and Germany are likely far different. Both places are much cooler than Texas on average. From what I've glanced at, average summer high temperatures in the Netherlands and Germany are around 25C. In Texas, it's around 35C. In Texas, with its long and oppressive summers, houses are constructed to be cooler inside than it is outside. This is great during the summer. Not so great when it hits -17C outside. So to get their house warm, Texans are literally fighting against what their houses are engineered to do. Also, energy efficiency and weatherization isn't well-regulated in Texas. So you have old, inefficient houses that are designed to stay cold.

maxerickson 6y ago
Insulation helps keep heat out just as much as it keeps it in. Summer design elements use air flows that can be blocked off for winter, or things like awnings that don't block the lower winter sun. So it's more that many houses aren't particularly well insulated or sealed in the US, which costs energy in summer too. Plenty of new houses are built with a tight envelope and require active ventilation for air exchange. Most older houses are not like that.