Three applications will drive adoption of control systems over the next five years: energy management, entertainment systems and content control, and remote home self-monitoring. Consumers see the value in these areas, which, once established, can serve as the base for expanded control systems in the home.

Parks Associates new report Home Systems: Home Controls – Analysis and Forecasts finds low consumer awareness and a shortage of affordable installation services currently hinder widespread adoption. The entry of well-known players, including ADT, Best Buy, Radio Shack, and Schlage, will help grow this market, but players should focus their value proposition on specific, easily understood applications in order to build consumer awareness and lay the foundation for future expansion.

For example, as entertainment controls for home theater and audio systems become more affordable, penetration will expand from 5% of U.S. households to 17% by 2014. These systems can then be expanded to integrate lighting, window treatments, and security controls, a strategy that will help push penetration of control systems overall to almost 20% of households by 2014