Where new-home technology ventures, existing-home technology often follows. According to a study by the Consumer Electronics Association and the NAHB Research Center, more than 42 percent of new homes built in 2002 included structured wiring, making it the most widely incorporated technology in new homes.

Structured wiring, which incorporates RG6 cabling and Category 5 wire, is the most effective electronic foundation to support high-speed voice, video and data connections. For homeowners desiring a comprehensive home automation system, with a single PC coordinating HVAC, lighting, communications, entertainment, and security systems, structured wiring may be a necessity..

How it works:

Structured wiring distributes a variety of data signals to electronics in the home, such as cable television, telephones and Ethernet computer networks. A structured wiring system is designed with "home run" cables from each room in the house back to a central distribution box.

Structured wiring typically uses RG6 cabling for video signals rather than the prior standard of RJ59, which cannot transfer digital images. For voice and data transfer, the system uses Category 5 wire, which is four pairs of twisted, unshielded, solid copper. Category 5 wiring allows much faster data transfer rates — equal to bandwidth — than telephone systems.