What Happens During a Demand Response Event? A Complete Guide
A demand response event is a 2–4 hour period on hot summer afternoons when your utility asks you to reduce electricity. Meltek precools your home before the event starts, so you stay comfortable while earning cash — no action required on your part.
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.
A Demand Response Event: 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).
- 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. - 2–4 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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.
| Detail | Typical Value (NY metro) |
|---|---|
| Time of day | 2 PM – 7 PM (can extend to 8 PM on severe days) |
| Duration per event | 2–4 hours |
| Events per summer season | 5–15 typical; 18+ in unusually hot years |
| Advance notice | Day-ahead (usual); same-day (possible on extreme heat days) |
| Opt-out option | Yes — override in the Meltek app at any time |
| Thermostat adjustment | +2–4°F above normal set point during event |
| Precooling window | 2–4 hours before event start |
| Payment timing | 30–60 days after season end |
Will My Home Be Uncomfortable During an Event?
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.
What You'll Experience as a Meltek Customer
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.
Who Benefits Most From Demand Response?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do demand response events last?▾
Demand response events in the New York metro area typically last 2–4 hours. They are most common between 2 PM and 7 PM on the hottest days of summer. On days with extreme heat or high grid stress, events can extend to 4–6 hours, but this is uncommon.
How many demand response events happen per year?▾
Most Con Edison and PSEG Long Island customers experience 5–15 events per summer season. The number correlates strongly with how many days exceed 90°F in the service territory. Unusually hot years like 2022 saw up to 18 events; milder summers see fewer.
Can I opt out of a demand response event?▾
Yes. Through Meltek, you can override any individual event in the app. Opting out of a single event does not affect your enrollment or future events. Frequent opt-outs may affect your performance baseline and, therefore, earnings — but there is no penalty or fee for opting out.
What if I have a medical device or health concern during an event?▾
Your health and safety always come first. If you need to maintain a specific temperature for medical reasons, opt out of the event in the Meltek app. You can also configure a minimum indoor temperature floor in your settings so the thermostat adjustment never drops the temperature below a safe threshold. Contact Meltek support to set up a medical exemption if needed.
Does a demand response event affect my electricity bill?▾
Your regular electricity bill is not directly affected. You pay your utility the same rate for whatever electricity you use. The demand response earnings are a separate payment from the utility (through Meltek) for the energy you reduced — not a credit on your monthly bill. You'll receive a direct bank transfer after the season ends.
Does demand response work with all smart thermostats?▾
Meltek supports most major smart thermostat brands: Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell Home, Emerson Sensi, and others. If your thermostat is connected to the internet and has an API for remote temperature adjustment, it most likely qualifies. Check compatibility at meltek.com before enrolling.
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