Electric appliances are an indispensable part of a household and through their sheer number contribute substantially to its electricity consumption. This paper explores potential reductions in residential appliance electricity consumption in the Netherlands with smart meters, using two perspectives: a bottom up engineering approach and a sociotechnical perspective. Through the first, policy scenarios are explored regarding efficiency, smart meter and consumer behaviour while with the second broader factors are considered that affect household electricity consumption.Multi Actor SystemsTechnology, Policy and Managemen