The home market is starting to pick up—and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) says that you can thank technology for some of that turn around.

According to results from the CEA’s 10th Annual State of the Builder Technology Market Study, home technology is strongly solidified in builders’ portfolios of services and offerings. The CEA says that items like structured wiring are becoming standard, while home control and entertainment offerings are helping builders stand out in the competitive marketplace.

“This year’s study confirms CEA’s long-held belief and prediction that home technology would make a positive contribution to the inevitable housing market recovery as home buyers’ digital lifestyles and desires for energy efficiency factor into purchasing decisions,” said Steve Koenig, CEA’s director of industry analysis. “For example, home automation and lighting controls tap into buyers’ rising concerns regarding energy costs, while a focus on home theater and multi-room audio demonstrate that builders can meet the growing homeowners’ demands to access entertainment anywhere in the home.”

Read about 7 high-tech ways to save energy.

Structured wiring has seen the biggest push, going from 45 percent of new homes in 2010 to 63 percent last year.  Lighting controls (12 percent) and home automation (10 percent) are also at an all-time high. Of course, entertainment was popular in 2011, with 23 percent of new homes getting multi-room audio and 29 percent having some type of home theater setup.

Read the EH Special Report on whole-house audio.

The CEA’s study was conducted in conjunction with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center from December 13, 2011 through January 9, 2012. The study was designed to provide home tech professional with a better understanding of homebuilders’ perceptions of and motivations for installing home technology in new home construction and the remodeling market.

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.