Free Tool
Precooling Schedule Generator
Get your step-by-step action plan for demand response event days. Pre-cooling your home or business the right way keeps you comfortable and maximizes your Meltek earnings.
Your personalized event-day schedule
Not sure of your window? Check the Network Lookup tool in the ConEd DR/SUR Portal, or see the call windows by area guide.
📅 Your event call window: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET
ConEd events run in 4-hour windows that vary by neighborhood. Select your window above for an accurate schedule. Advance notice via Meltek 18–24 hours beforehand.
Your day-of action plan
🪟 Close blinds and curtains on all south- and west-facing windows to block solar heat gain
❄️ If you control your own AC, cool your space 2–3°F below your comfort target now. If your building has central AC, contact your super or building manager to request pre-cooling
🫧 Run laundry, dishwasher, or other high-draw appliances before the event window starts
📱 Check ConEd or Meltek notification — confirm event is still scheduled
🌡️ Check your home temperature — make sure the space has pre-cooled. Set up portable fans in likely-used rooms
⚡ EVENT STARTS — If you control your AC, raise the setpoint 3–4°F above normal. Use portable fans to stay comfortable; keep blinds closed
🚫 Avoid using your oven, electric range, hair dryers, or other heat-generating appliances during the event
💡 Turn off unnecessary lights; rely on natural daylight or use minimal lighting
✅ EVENT ENDS — Resume your normal AC setting; let room temperature drift back down naturally
Get this schedule delivered to your phone
Sign up for Meltek and we'll send you a personalized reminder the evening before every demand response event.
Get event reminders — sign up free →Why precooling works
Stay comfortable the whole day
Pre-cooling stores thermal energy in your home. Once your walls, floors, and furniture absorb cool air, they release it slowly — keeping you comfortable even when the AC is off or running less.
Maximize your Meltek earnings
Meltek pays you for reducing electricity during events. Pre-cooled homes can reduce AC usage 40–60% during the event window, dramatically increasing your earnings.
Help stabilize the grid
Pre-cooling shifts electricity demand away from peak event hours to the morning, when grid capacity is higher and renewable energy is more available.
Lower your electric bill
Running AC harder off-peak and lighter during your event window doesn't cost more net energy — and using less during events means you earn cash on top.
The science behind precooling
Buildings have thermal mass — walls, floors, furniture, and even the air itself store heat (or coolness) and release it slowly. When you lower your thermostat 2–3°F below normal in the morning, your building absorbs extra cooling capacity that acts like a battery.
During the event window, your AC can run at reduced capacity (or off entirely for 30–60 minutes at a time) while the stored cool air keeps temperatures comfortable. Most residents don't notice the difference if the pre-cooling was done right.
Research from ConEd's demand response pilot programs shows homes that pre-cool can maintain comfort with 40–60% less electricityduring the event window compared to homes that don't pre-cool.
Have a smart thermostat? Let Meltek automate this
If you have an Ecobee, Nest, or other smart thermostat, Meltek can automatically run your precooling schedule on event days — no manual steps required. Connect your thermostat after signing up.
Precooling questions answered
Will precooling raise my electric bill?
Not significantly. You're shifting usage from peak to off-peak hours, not adding total usage. And since Meltek pays you for event participation, most customers come out ahead.
How many degrees should I lower my thermostat?
2–3°F below your normal comfort setting works well for most homes. Going too low (5°F+) creates discomfort and doesn't proportionally increase earnings.
What if I don't have air conditioning?
You can still earn by reducing other electric loads during events — turning off unnecessary lights, delaying laundry or dishwasher use, and unplugging devices with high standby draws.
Do I need to be home during the event?
Not if you have a smart thermostat. If your home is unoccupied during the event, you can let temperatures drift up without discomfort.