Demand Response Programs in New York: Con Edison, PSEG & O&R Guide (2026)

New York has some of the most active demand response programs in the country, driven by the state's dense population, hot summers, and NYISO grid management requirements. Three major utilities run dedicated residential programs:

• Con Edison — serving New York City and Westchester County
• PSEG Long Island — serving Nassau and Suffolk counties
• Orange & Rockland — serving Rockland County and parts of Orange County

Meltek works as an enrollment and management layer across all three utility programs — meaning New York homeowners can enroll in their territory's program through a single platform, with all event management, precooling, and payment handled automatically.

Demand response is a utility-run program that pays enrolled customers to temporarily reduce electricity use during periods of peak grid stress — typically hot summer afternoons from 2–7 PM when air conditioning demand pushes the grid near capacity.

The grid operator (NYISO for New York) calls a demand response event when it forecasts insufficient supply relative to demand. Utilities pass the signal to enrolled customers through programs like Con Edison’s AC Rewards and PSEG’s Direct Load Control. Customers receive payment based on how much electricity they reduce compared to their established usage baseline.

Through Meltek, the thermostat adjustment is automated — your home is precooled before each event and managed throughout, with payment arriving via bank transfer after the season ends. You can also take simple manual steps during the event window to increase your reduction and earn more.

The Con Edison AC Rewards program is one of the largest residential demand response programs in the country by enrolled customer count. It operates across New York City's five boroughs and Westchester County, covering the densest and highest-energy-demand footprint in the NYISO territory.

How it works: Con Edison calls events on days when NYISO forecasts high demand, typically issuing day-ahead notice by 7 PM the prior evening. Enrolled customers receive alerts and, through Meltek, have their thermostats automatically managed for the event window.

Payment structure: Con Edison pays per kWh curtailed relative to each customer's usage baseline. The per-kWh rate varies with NYISO market conditions. Meltek passes all Con Edison program payments through to enrolled customers.

Typical earnings: $60–$175 per summer season for Con Edison service area customers enrolled through Meltek, depending on home size and event frequency.

PSEG Long Island operates its demand response program across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Long Island's grid is isolated (connected to the mainland through limited transmission capacity) which makes demand response especially valuable during peak summer periods — and typically results in more events per season than Con Edison territory averages.

Program mechanics: PSEG Long Island uses direct load control (DLC) for enrolled smart thermostats. During an event, PSEG sends a signal that Meltek interprets and translates into a thermostat adjustment within the customer's pre-set comfort parameters.

Typical earnings: $50–$140 per summer season. Long Island's higher event frequency than NYC territory can push earnings to the upper end of the range in active summers.

Orange & Rockland Utilities serves Rockland County and parts of Orange County in New York's Lower Hudson Valley. Its demand response program mirrors the Con Edison AC Rewards structure (both utilities are ConEdison subsidiaries) with some territory-specific terms.

Typical earnings: $50–$120 per summer season. O&R's service territory is smaller and less dense than Con Edison NYC, which generally means slightly fewer events per season and lower total earnings — but the enrollment process and platform experience are identical through Meltek.

Meltek automatically manages your thermostat, but your payout is based on your total electricity reduction during the event — not just AC. Taking a few simple steps in the 2–4 hour event window can meaningfully increase the gap between your baseline and your actual usage:

• Switch off lights in rooms you’re not using
• Delay the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer — run them before the event or after it ends
• Avoid the oven and electric range during the window — use the microwave, eat out, or prep food beforehand
• Delay EV charging until after the event
• Close blinds and curtains to reduce solar heat gain and help maintain the precooled temperature
• Turn off or unplug electronics you’re not actively using

None of these actions are required — your thermostat reduction alone earns you the baseline payment. But each appliance you defer or light you turn off adds to your measured reduction and increases your payout for that event.

Regardless of which utility serves your home, the enrollment path through Meltek is the same:

1. Visit meltek.com/user-signup
2. Enter your ZIP code — Meltek identifies your utility and eligible program
3. Create a free account — no credit card required
4. Connect your smart thermostat — Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell, or Sensi
5. Set your comfort preferences — minimum temperature, quiet hours
6. Confirm enrollment — utility confirmation within 1–3 business days

Enrollment takes under 3 minutes. There is no cost and no special hardware to buy. Enroll now at Meltek.com →