U.S. Houses Are More Efficient ... Sort Of

U.S. houses are more energy efficient ... or are they? In this video, Tyler Crowe explains how modern houses are more energy efficient on a square foot basis, but since newer houses are bigger, they consume more energy on a per home basis. Utility companies will not be hurt by this trend. However, how utilities generate electricity is important.  NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG  ) and TransCanada are better-positioned to exploit cheap natural gas than Exelon (NYSE: EXC  ) or Duke (NYSE: DUK  ) .  Also, new EPA regulations may significantly impact utilities that rely on coal or nuclear for electricity generation.

As the nation moves increasingly toward clean energy, Exelon is perfectly positioned to capitalize on having the largest nuclear fleet in North America. Combine this strength with an increased focus on renewable energy, and EXC's recent merger with Constellation places Exelon and its best-in-class dividend on a short list of top utilities. To determine if Exelon is a good long-term fit for your portfolio, you're invited to check out The Motley Fool's premium research report on the company. Simply click here now for instant access.