There were some good signs from the recent Greenbuild show in Boston, where upwards of 30,000 browsed green building products, technologies and services—though once again electronics only played a bit part.

Although progress seems to have been made this year, it appears that electronics shows like the CEDIA Expo and EHX don’t show much in green stuff, and the green shows don’t have much in electronics.

We know the two can meet. Being green and connected are not mutually exclusive. And I am a firm believer that electronics hold the key to our energy-efficient future. They have the processing power to help us better regulate our energy use—and save us money.

Some electronics were exhibited at Greenbuild, including lighting control systems from Lutron and Lightolier, control products from Eaton and Leviton, motorized shading from Somfy Systems and MechoShade, lighting products from Philips and Cooper Lighting, and Greenguard-certified projection screens from Draper. In addition, an energy management system from Agilewaves won a best of show award.

There were others as well, whose names you probably wouldn’t recognize. That’s because nearly all the displays were for commercial products. That was a bummer, especially for someone seeking green residential systems.

There are reasons for the focus on commercial, of course. First, home starts are way down. But even more importantly, commercial is a much bigger market, and in a much bigger need of green technology solutions.

Many technologies and trends start either in the high-end or commercial markets and migrate to the home and mass markets, once they become more available and affordable. That’s just the way it is.

The good news on this front is that the exhibit hall space had to be twice as large as that at last year’s Greenbuild show—and much more crowded. The electronics companies I visited reported robust activity and interest. And that’s a good thing, because a rising tide floats all boats. Growing interest in green electronics for commercial buildings means accelerated interest in green home electronics could follow.

One of my contacts at Greenbuild even said they’re seeing more and more residential-oriented exhibits—just not yet in the electronics.

It’s going to happen: Green home technology may even explode in the next year or so, depending on how much of an emphasis the new Administration in Washington, Congress, and a new “tech czar” place on energy efficiency and sustainability.

Many home electronics companies are already producing energy-efficient and greener products, and interest in green products is almost certain to grown stronger.

Steven Castle - Contributing Writer

Steven Castle is Electronic House's managing editor. he has been writing about consumer electronics, homes and energy efficiency topics for two decades. He is also the co-founder of GreenTech Advocates.