This paper presents a demand side load management technique that is capable of controlling loads within the residential building in such a way that the user satisfaction is maximized at minimum cost. Load satisfaction algorithm was developed based on three postulations that allow satisfaction to be quantified. The input data required by the algorithm includes the power ratings of the electrical devices, its time of use, kW h electrical consumption as well as the satisfaction of the user on each electrical appliance at every hour of the day. From the data, the algorithm is able to generate an energy usage pattern, which would give the user maximum satisfaction at a predetermined user-budget. A cost per unit satisfaction index (k) which relates the expenditure of a user to the satisfaction achievable is also derived. To test the applicability of the proposed load-satisfaction management technique, three budget scenarios of $0.25/day, $0.5/day and $1.00/day are performed. The result of each of the scenarios using the proposed techniques is compared to cases in which the electrical appliances are randomly used. The results obtained revealed that the proposed algorithm offered the maximum satisfaction and minimum cost per unit satisfaction for all the scenarios. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.