A new study conducted by CEDIA and Parks Associates found that integrators are recovering loss of revenues by more work in retrofit jobs as opposed to new construction projects. Additionally, the study reports that demand in "Smart Grid" technologies is high and that integrators need to become more knowledgeable in this burgeoning market.

"One potential area of significant growth is in energy management, where integrators could serve an important role linking consumers to utilities. The energy industry needs to reach out to integrators to increase their knowledge of Smart Grid technologies," says Bill Ablondi, director, home systems research, Parks Associates.

According to the study, the majority of U.S. home systems integrators, who have had average revenues fall almost 17 percent since 2007, are making adjustments to compensate for declines in new-home construction and consumer spending by diving into the green and retrofit markets.

But the study also found that awareness of Smart Grid terms and technologies, such as smart meter and AMI, was low among installers, although almost one-third of integrators have installed some type of energy-monitoring system in the last year. To help combat this CEDIA has been pledging to offer more training in this category, some of which will be seen at the CEDIA Expo in Atlanta this month.