In order to apply the demand response (DR) program, the capacity for DR of the particular utility should be estimated. This paper presents an improved load profiles comparison method for the DR capacity estimation. It is based on comparison of typical daily load profiles for the same (or close) date in two years, but with different weather conditions. The consequence is that load profiles in these two cases are significantly different. Minimum and maximum values of load differences have been determined. In order to narrow the estimated DR capacity range the differences are normalized (divided with the difference in consumption for the two compared profiles). This normalization improves the comparison method and obtained results indicate more precisely the extent of available DR capacity. The method is applicable to the whole utility or to its parts, for any season. Analyses have been done on the particular case study for both winter and high summer season. The impact of day type (working days and weekend) on DR capacity estimation results has been also elaborated. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd.