In Canada, buildings account for 35% of energy consumption and hold the largest opportunity for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Occupant engagement poses one of the best solutions to reducing building energy consumption, with studies showing annual energy consumption can vary by up to 150% between active and passive occupants. In this thesis, an occupant-in-the-loop smart home energy system is designed and tested to explore how such systems can reduce building energy consumption through automation and occupant engagement. Simulation studies and a 125-participant survey were conducted to understand how to engage occupants to take action and their impact on home energy consumption. Insights from these studies were used to develop the smart home control system and reinforce design decisions. Testing results show 250 kWh of plug-load energy reduction and reinforce this projects conclusion that occupant-in-the-loop smart home energy systems can provide energy savings and increased occupant energy awareness/engagement.