What Happens During a Demand Response Event? A Complete Guide

During a demand response event, your utility calls on enrolled customers to temporarily reduce electricity use — usually for 2–4 hours on hot summer afternoons when grid demand is highest.

If you're enrolled through Meltek, the experience is almost completely invisible. Meltek automatically precools your home before the event so indoor temperatures stay comfortable throughout, and handles all thermostat adjustments without requiring any action from you.

Here's exactly what happens, step by step.

The sequence below covers a typical demand response event in the New York metro area (Con Edison, PSEG Long Island, or Orange & Rockland territory).

1. Day before (sometimes day-of): Event is forecast
   NYISO (the New York grid operator) monitors temperature forecasts and electricity demand projections. When a hot day is expected to push demand near grid capacity, they issue a demand response event call to participating utilities.
2. 2–4 hours before the event: Meltek begins precooling
   This is the most important step. Meltek lowers your thermostat set point by 2–4°F below your normal comfort temperature. Your AC runs more during this window, building a "thermal buffer" in your home's walls, furniture, and air mass. You will not notice any discomfort during the event because of this preparation.
3. Event start (typically 2–7 PM): Meltek raises the set point
   When the event begins, Meltek adjusts your thermostat upward — typically 2–4°F above your normal setting. Because your home was precooled, indoor temperatures remain comfortable for the full duration. The AC runs significantly less.
4. During the event: You do nothing
   You'll receive a push notification or email letting you know an event is underway. No action is required. If you need to override — for example, if you have medical equipment or a vulnerable household member — you can opt out in the Meltek app at any time.
5. Event end: Normal operation resumes
   When the event ends, Meltek restores your thermostat to its normal schedule. Your home returns to your preferred temperature quickly.
6. Days after: Your savings are calculated
   The utility measures the electricity your home used during the event window and compares it to your baseline (your typical usage at that time of day and temperature). The difference is your "curtailment" — the energy reduction you're rewarded for.
7. Season end: You get paid
   Utility payments are processed 30–60 days after the summer season closes. Meltek transfers your earnings via ACH bank transfer.

No — and this is the core advantage of Meltek's precooling approach. A demand response event is not the same as losing air conditioning for the afternoon.

Consider a home set to 72°F normally:

• Before the event: Meltek cools to 69–70°F (you may not notice)
• During the event: Meltek holds at 73–74°F
• The thermal mass you built up prevents the actual indoor temperature from rising more than 1–2°F above your normal comfort point in most homes

In the Meltek program, over 95% of enrolled customers report no discomfort during demand response events. The precooling window does the work so you don't have to notice anything.

Most Meltek customers describe demand response season as 'set it and forget it.' Here's a realistic account of a typical event day:

• Morning: You see a push notification or email: "A demand response event is forecast for today, 2–6 PM. Meltek will precool your home starting at 11 AM."
• Late morning: Your AC runs a bit more than usual. Your home feels slightly cooler. Thermostat may show 69–70°F.
• 2 PM: The event starts. You may see a notification. Your thermostat shows 73°F set point. Your house feels normal — because it was pre-chilled.
• 6 PM: Event ends. Thermostat returns to your normal schedule.
• Evening: Meltek sends a summary: "You helped reduce grid demand by 5 kWh today. Estimated earnings: $2.65."

That's it. Repeated 5–15 times per summer, it adds up to real money with no effort.

Demand response earnings are highest for customers with:

• Larger homes: More HVAC capacity means more curtailment potential and higher earnings per event.
• High AC usage: Customers who typically run AC throughout the afternoon have a higher baseline, making their curtailment more measurable.
• Modern smart thermostats: Precise control allows for more accurate precooling and better event performance.
• Homes with high thermal mass: Brick, stone, and well-insulated homes hold the precooled temperature longer, staying comfortable through longer events.

Even smaller apartments benefit — with lower earnings but also no effort required. Check your eligibility at Meltek.com.