We recently spoke with Mike, an urban planner and longtime Meltek customer. Mike and his family live in an older, less energy-efficient townhouse and he appreciates any opportunity to reduce their energy costs. He chose Meltek for its professional and informative website. Mike enjoys turning demand response events into fun family activities, setting calendar reminders and getting his kids involved in saving energy, making money, and supporting the environment.
He values the simplicity of the program and was pleasantly surprised by how much they earned. In this Q&A, Mike shared his experiences with Meltek.
Meltek: When did you start using Meltek, and how did you find us?
Mike Flynn: It’s been a while. I think I learned about Meltek from Con Ed. I researched a few providers, and based on the websites, Meltek looked professional and clear. I got a good vibe from it, so I decided to try it.
Meltek: After you started, how did Meltek’s program impact your daily life? What did you do to prepare for demand response hours?
Mike Flynn: At first, I wasn’t totally clear how it would work, but after the first event, it was simple. When I received the payment, it was more than I expected. I was surprised.
I have a family with two kids. The first time I did it I said, okay we gotta turn off all the air conditioners and stuff. At first we thought it was funny and a bit silly, but when I told them how much money we earned, they got excited for future events. It became a challenge.
I live in a three-story, two-family townhouse, about 2,100–2,400 square feet. It’s an older house, not very energy efficient. Our energy bills are high, and we’ve had an audit showing there’s room for improvement, but financial constraints limit us. Programs like Meltek help.
Meltek: How did you redeem your rewards, and how was the payment process?
Mike Flynn: I redeemed rewards through a gift card. The process was fine, though I would try direct cash next time.
Meltek: Are you planning to participate again this summer?
Mike Flynn: Definitely. I’m ready for this year!
Meltek: Would you recommend Meltek to others?
Mike Flynn: Yes, I would. I haven’t yet, but when neighbors talk about utilities, I’ll definitely recommend it. The setup was easy, communication has been good, and there’s no downside.
Meltek: Have you had any fun or memorable moments with Meltek?
Mike Flynn: We made it a family event. I would put a reminder on my calendar and then when the time (of events) came, we turned off air conditioning and a lot of lights. With my family, it became almost like a little event. The kids saw it as helping the family make money and doing something good for the environment.
