Skip to Main Content
ajax loader animation
A commercial high-rise building in the Financial District of New York City.

Smart Usage Rewards for Reducing Electric Demand

During peak hours of the summer, we’ll pay you to reduce your energy use temporarily through Smart Usage Rewards (also known as Demand Response).

How It Works

By curbing your electric usage during high-demand periods, you’ll help maintain system reliability in your community. Residential customers and small businesses may participate in our Smart Thermostat program.

For every 100 kW (kilowatts) you pledge to reduce, you’ll be able to earn up to $18,000 a year.

Program Types

Participate by enrolling in programs that alert you to reduce your usage in advance.

  • 21 Hour Notifications - Commercial System Relief Program (CSRP)
  • 2 Hour or Less Notifications - Distribution Load Relief Program (DLRP)

See common strategies for how you can participate.

How to Apply

You can apply through a participating aggregator. If you can pledge 50 kW or more in our programs, you can find out if you’re eligible by emailing us directly. If you are, you’ll need to complete and return the Demand Response Application Form.

Reservation Payment Option

When you enroll in the Reservation Payment option, you’ll receive monthly payments based on the amount of kW you’ve pledged to reduce upon request, plus additional payments for actual kWh reduced. You’ll receive payments regardless of whether Con Edison requests to reduce electrical usage. Different parts of the city have different needs. As a result, our programs pay different rates for load relief in different networks and boroughs.

Payment Options

 Con Edison Demand Response Reservation Option Incentives
Program Hours of Notification before Event Monthly Reservation Payment Rate Performance Payment Rate During DR Events
2 Hour Notification Program (DLRP) 2 hours Tier 1 Networks: $18 / kW / month
Tier 2 Networks: $25 / kW / month 		$1 / kWh
21 Hour Notification Program (CSRP) 21 Hours Staten Island and Westchester: $6 / kW / month
Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens: $18 / kW / month		 $1 / kWh

See an example of how much you can make by participating.

Enrollment Deadlines

 Reservation Payment Option Enrollment Deadlines
Program Hours of Notification before Event Application Deadline Start Date End Date 
2 Hour Notification Program (DLRP) 2 hours April 1 
May 1		 May 1
June 1		 September 30
21 Hour Notification Program (CSRP) 21 Hours April 1
May 1		 May 1
June 1		 September 30

 

Eligibility Requirements

Aggregators must have systems and processes to:

  • Respond to Smart Usage Rewards (also known as Demand Response) events pursuant to notification through Con Edison’s prescribed notification system.
  • Ensure that enrolled customers respond to events within the required time periods. View history of past events. 
  • Electronically submit enrollments to Con Edison using the enrollment system.

Related Information

was this information helpful?