“Choice and control” are the watchwords when it comes to residential smart meter–enabled demand response and energy efficiency. A fully realized vision of smart grid presupposes that smart meters will provide customers with choice and control over how and when they use energy in their homes. Yet, for the majority of residential customers, home energy management and demand-response participation are low priorities compared to everyday activities. Utilities with smart meter initiatives are seeking to empower their customers to more actively engage in energy management efforts by providing better feedback, pricing programs, and automation, yet the message of choice and control may not be the strongest selling point for encouraging customers to participate in these programs.