The dark exterior absorbs the heat in the cooler months to save on heating bills.
We have no heat. This is Wisconsin. We are on the shores of a great lake. Most of us don’t even have air conditioning. It’s not heat. Its aesthetics. I am not sure why, but grey and white is. Its like living in an institution. Charcoal grey outside is showing up everywhere. I wonder if this house will sell. Of course some one can always paint it. But you would think another color choice would sell better.