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Month: June 2020

The Villages Democratic Club donates $3,000 to SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven Fund

The Villages Democratic Club has donated $3,000 to SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program. These funds will help SECO members affected by the COVID-19 economic shutdown with electric bill payment assistance.

 

Like most electric service providers in the state, SECO Energy responded in March to the COVID-19 shutdown with understanding and flexibility by waiving late fees and extending payment arrangement timeframes for members. Since early March, no SECO member has been disconnected, charged a late fee nor denied a payment extension. However, SECO is currently formulating a plan that requires members with high accrued balances to render payment, enter into a repayment agreement or seek bill payment assistance from a social service agency.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “We are grateful for The Villages Democratic Club’s generous donation to our Pennies from Heaven program. Donations such as this remain local to assist the thousands of members who are seeking bill payment assistance as our cooperative begins the return to normal business practices. Assisting members during this time is important to us, and we urge members who need bill payment assistance to visit SECOEnergy.com and find a local social service agency using our interactive map. Requests for assistance can also be initiated by calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211.org.”

 

SECO members who have enrolled in the Pennies from Heaven program agree to round up their monthly bills to the next dollar. The extra change funds the Pennies from Heaven program. The donated pennies can be used to fund local, worthy causes and to provide bill payment assistance to fellow members. The funds are used locally within SECO’s service area. SECO employees also support the Pennies from Heaven program through internal fundraising efforts and personal donations.

 

Duncan urged members who are not already donating to consider Pennies from Heaven enrollment or a one-time donation. He continued, “I support Pennies from Heaven myself as a member as do many of our employees. The average per member donation is about $6 annually if the member is enrolled in the bill round up program. Pennies from Heaven is a great way to make a big difference with your small change – one penny at a time.”

 

If you’d prefer to write a check, please send it to SECO Energy at 330 S U.S. Highway 301, Sumterville, FL 33585.

 

The Pennies from Heaven program also provides dollars every quarter to local United Way organizations and social service agencies for bill payment assistance for members.

 

“Like” SECO on Facebook and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Generator Safety Tips for Atlantic Hurricane Season

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. This year, forecasters at the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU) predict tropical storm and hurricane activity will be well above average. SECO Energy warns members to keep safety in mind while using a generator during power outages.

 

Before purchasing a generator, learn the difference between stationary and portable generators. Stationary generators are permanently affixed with an approved disconnect and transfer switch. This switch isolates a home’s circuits from SECO Energy’s electric system. This isolation is critical to eliminate the risk of electricity backfeeding onto SECO’s lines. Installing a stationary generator and disconnect and transfer switch is not a do-it-yourself job. Portable generators are more common and less expensive than stationary generators. Homeowners use extension cords to plug appliances directly in to the portable generator.

 

When major weather events cause extended power outages, homeowners often utilize generators. SECO asks members using a generator to operate the equipment in a manner that promotes safety for homeowners, their families, SECO employees and contractors and the public.

 

Generators emit the deadly, colorless, odorless gas carbon monoxide (CO). Thousands of people die each year from CO poisoning. Never run a generator in an enclosed area such as a house, garage or covered porch. Never place a generator outside of an open window where CO can leach into the home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends installing a battery-operated CO detector in your home. Choose an area where the sound of the alarm will wake the home’s inhabitants. Outside of bedroom doorways is a good choice.

 

Never operate a generator in the rain – you can be shocked or killed. Plug appliances directly into the portable generator or use an extension cord to prevent electric shock. If using extension cords, choose a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord with a watt or amp rating equal to the sum of the appliance. Examine extension cords for cuts, tears or frays – replace damaged extension cords.

 

Fuel the generator safely to avoid fires. Do not fuel a generator while it’s in operation. Gasoline and diesel fuel should be stored in approved containers and out of the reach of children. Extinguish all flames, including cigarettes, during fueling. Stage a fully charged fire extinguisher near the generator.

 

Generator engine parts are scorching hot while the machine is running and take time to cool after the machine is off. Touching engine parts can result in severe burns. Keep children away from running generators. If the generator is faulty, contact a qualified technician for repair or service. Repairing or servicing a generator is a job best left to a professional. Test the generator at the start of hurricane season.

 

SECO Energy is StormReady and prepared for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. Members should prepare for the possibility of tropical storms and hurricanes by assembling an emergency supply kit, enrolling in StormCenter outage notifications and bookmarking StormCenter and SECO’s daily restoration plan map on their smartphone or tablet. Through StormCenter, members receive outage alerts via email, text, voice message or all three that include crew status and estimated restoration time. Members will receive follow-up outage communication with updated restoration times and the outage cause if known. StormCenter is available online at SECOEnergy.com>StormCenter.

 

For more information about generator safety, visit our Generator Safety page. “Like” SECO on Facebook and “follow” @SECOenergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Sunshine State Stats May 2020

Summer is almost here in Central Florida and we are feeling the heat. The average monthly temperature in May 2020 was 78.5 degrees only slightly lower than the average monthly temperature of 80.1 degrees in May 2019. The hottest day of the month was on May 22 when temperatures soared to 97 degrees. The lowest temperature recorded was 53 degrees on the evening of May 8.

 

May 2020 Sunshine State Stats details

 

May started seasonally with temps mostly in the mid to high 80s; however, in mid-May temperatures began to rise and the average high temperature for the month measured 89 degrees. Central Florida also received more rain near the end of the month with total precipitation at 2.69 inches compared to only 1.22 inches in 2019. Hopefully, your periwinkles are blooming!

 

On May 4, Governor DeSantis began Phase One of reopening many of Florida’s businesses with safety protocols in place. Thankfully, members started to return to work and leave their homes more often. With summer-like weather arriving early, you may want to schedule an HVAC technician to inspect your cooling system. Annual HVAC maintenance will extend the life of your unit and help you avoid large unexpected repair bills.

 

For cooling energy-efficiency, adjust your thermostat to between 78 and 80 degrees with the fan in the auto position. If you’re out and about for four hours or more bump your thermostat up a couple of degrees to save. For every degree the thermostat is set below 78 degrees cooling costs increase by 6 to 8 percent.

 

June 2020 forecast:

 

Rain is in the forecast for the beginning of June 2020, but temperatures are still predicted to be high. The average temperature for Central Florida for June in 2019 was 82.2 degrees with 5.96 total precipitation for the month. Be sure to use SPF when out in the Florida sun, it is a doozy.

 

Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1. Forecasters predict an above average hurricane and tropical storm activity this year. SECO Energy is StormReady and offers resources to help you and your family prepare for hurricanes and tropical storms that affect our area. Read our Hurricane Handbook for information before, during and after a storm online.

 

To check historical usage, log in to SmartHub to view past bills and consumption charts. If your usage is high, SECO offers several energy-efficiency tools to help you identify energy wasters. Take the Home Energy Assessment to receive a detailed email tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The energy-saving advice will provide low-cost ways to decrease your usage – and your electric bill.

 

To easily calculate how much energy your appliances, lighting, electronic devices, and other energy-using items in your home consume, use the Energy Estimator.

Win an EV JuiceBox Level 2 Fast Charger from SECO Energy

Across the country, Florida is emerging as a leader in electric vehicle (EV) sales. To promote the use of EVs in its service area, SECO is giving away a SECO Energy branded 50-amp JuiceBox Pro EV charger. The cooperative will choose one random winner each month while supplies last. Members still have time to enter the drawing for the June 15 winner.

 

As a not-for-profit electric provider in Central Florida, SECO Energy is excited at the prospects of expanded EV infrastructure for the communities it serves. Earlier this year, SECO surveyed almost 100,000 members to gauge their interest in EVs. This was a preliminary first step in SECO’s planning to maximize the benefit of EVs in its service area.

 

Almost 7,000 members responded to the survey with interesting results. Of the respondents, five percent currently own an EV, while thirty-four percent indicate an interest in purchasing an EV in the future. Forty-two percent of members responded that they have no interest in owning an EV but believe SECO should promote and support the use of EVs in the communities it serves.

 

SECO Energy is developing a plan for the future that includes increased EV usage in the counties it serves. With the interest in EVs increasing, the cooperative plans to partner with builders and developers in new residential communities in Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties to pre-wire homes with Level 2 charging capabilities during the construction phase as this is more cost-effective for the homebuyer and beneficial to SECO to encourage EV use.

 

Another EV-centric SECO project in the works is a Level 2 fast charger residential lease program. Members will have the opportunity to lease a Level 2 fast charger from SECO for a small monthly fee instead of purchasing the charger outright. Watch for more details about the Level 2 fast charger lease program in an upcoming SECO News.

 

In addition to the entry form for the JuiceBox Charger giveaway, members with an interest in an EV will find a new section dedicated to electric vehicles on the cooperative’s website.

 

The new EV section of SECO Energy’s website includes an overview of EV and PHEV models, ownership savings benefits, EV facts and information on how EVs reduce an individual’s carbon footprint. There is a savings calculator to compute the amount of money saved on gasoline by purchasing an EV. Members can input the number of miles they drive in a year and the savings calculator will compute the amount saved by charging an EV versus filling up with gas.

 

The website also provides information about residential EV charging. For efficiency and quick charging, installing a Level 2 fast charger is the way to go. Installing a Level 2 will charge an EV four to six times faster than a Level 1 charger. Also included on the website is an interactive EV charger-finder map to locate chargers anywhere in the country.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “In early March, the Florida House passed Senate Bill 7018 that paves the way for the Florida Department of Transportation to work with the Florida Public Service Commission, the Office of Energy and others to develop plans to expand Florida’s EV infrastructure. As a state in the top-three in EV sales, Florida is poised to be an example of how electric vehicles can be a fit for our lifestyles. We are excited about the possibilities and the opportunities that new EV infrastructure will bring to Central Florida.”

 

Members who are interested in an EV and Level 2 charging should register to win a SECO Energy branded 50-amp JuiceBox Pro EV Charger. This 9.6 kW charger is UL listed with a 24-foot cable, a 5-year manufacturer warranty, built-in Wi-Fi and is 110-240VAC. One random winner will be drawn each month on the 15th.

 

To enter to win, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 to receive a direct link to enter. Or visit the EV page on our website or click on the homepage banner. Installation is not included and winner must agree to terms and conditions.

 

“Like” SECO on Facebook and “follow” @SECOenergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Florida Fauna & Flora – Blue Crabs

Blue crabs are found in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. This crab is an omnivore – eating both plants and animals. Its typical diet is small fish, plants, annelids and almost anything else it can ingest.

 

Crabs grow by shedding their shells or molting. Blue crabs molt about 25 times during their 3-year lifecycle. Crabbing requires a Florida saltwater fishing license unless you are trying to catch blue crabs from the shore with fishing line or rope. Chicken legs and oily fish are popular bait choices.

 

In Florida, crabbers can harvest female blue crabs, but it is illegal to harvest females carrying eggs. For conservation purposes, return female blue crabs to the water. Females are easily identified by their red-tipped claws. Blue crab males have blue claws.

 

FUN FAUNA FACT: BLUE CRABS CAN SWIM. Many crabs walk or run along the waters’ bottom, but crabs in the Portunidea family have paddle-shaped backlegs called swimmeretes that rotate allowing blue crabs to swim.

 

Read the full June 2020 SECO News online.

SECO News, June 2020

 

Duncan’s Digest – High Risk Hurricane Season

 

My background by trade is accounting and finance. I have a healthy belief in data analysis to project trends. The percentages below certainly get my attention and should grab yours as well.

 

May 2018 SECO News Duncan's Digest

 

The Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU) published its Atlantic hurricane season forecast in April. These experts predict the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season will have above-normal activity. This includes the probability of major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 and 5) to make landfall along the U.S. coast and in the Caribbean based on historical and 2020 probability trackers.

 

Historically between 1878 and 2017, Florida had a 51% probability of a hurricane spinning into the state. The probability of a major hurricane was 21%. CSU’s probability tracker for 2020 reflects an increased chance of 68% of a hurricane affecting the state. The probability that at least one major hurricane will make Florida landfall is 31%.

 

For the Gulf Coast, the probability of at least one major hurricane making landfall is 44% which is above the historical average. For the U.S. east coast including Florida, the probability of at least one major hurricane making landfall this year is 45% which is also above average.

 

While these statistics are troubling, the fact is that living on the Florida peninsula surrounded by water, we are bound to feel the effects of tropical storms and hurricanes. Preparing before they happen is critical.

 

SECO Energy is StormReady and strongly encourages your family to practice hurricane preparedness. Our storm hardening efforts include replacing aging distribution poles, upgrading transmission poles from wood to concrete and trimming trees that encroach on power lines.

 

StormReady also includes our $1 million investment in our outage map, reporting tools, status checker and communications platform called StormCenter. Members can proactively enroll to receive outage communications through email, text, voice messages or all three.

 

StormCenter identifies the service locations affected by an outage and proactively sends a notification with the estimated restoration time, crew status and more. Once service is restored, you’ll receive a message that includes the outage cause if known. You can set do not disturb times if you don’t want to be called in the middle of the night about an outage or restoration. To choose notification preferences, visit StormCenter on the website and click on the Manage Notifications tab.

 

Reporting a new outage or checking the status of an existing outage with your smartphone or tablet is easy. Click “Report Outage” and enter the account holder’s last name and house number (or the account or phone number). Find the status of an existing outage on the Check Status tab.

 

Create a StormReady plan for your family that includes gathering emergency supplies, reading our Hurricane Handbook, enrolling in county alerts and saving your county Emergency Operations Center (EOC) number on your phone.

 

Prepare for the worst, hope and pray for the best and know that it is our privilege to serve as your energy provider.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 

SECO News June Generator Safety

 

Generator Safety

 

Are you considering purchasing an in-home generator as a back-up power source during unexpected power outages? Know the difference between stationary and portable generators and learn safety tips that save lives.

 

Stationary generators are permanently affixed with an approved disconnect and transfer switch that isolates your home’s circuits from SECO Energy’s electric system. This isolation eliminates the risk of backfeeding onto utility lines. Installing a stationary generator is not a DIY project. Contact a licensed electrician.

 

Portable generators are more common than stationary. Portable generators use extension cords to plug desired appliances into the generator.

 

Generators emit deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gas that is odorless and colorless. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends installing a battery-operated CO detector in your home. Place the detector where the alarm will wake you up – just outside bedroom doorways is a good choice. Never run a generator outside an open window or in an enclosed area such as a garage. Also, never use a generator in the rain. You can be shocked or killed.

 

Always read your unit’s safety and instruction manual before operating. Visit our Generator Safety page for more safe operating tips and watch our video to learn how to size a generator correctly.

 

SECO News June 2020 Winners' Circle

 

Winners’ Circle

 

Welcome ELECTRA as our new IVR virtual assistant. Thank you, members, for voting to help us name our newest SECO representative. ELECTRA assists with billing inquiries, outage reporting, checking the status of a current outage and automated payment arrangements.

 

ALL MEMBERS WHO VOTED WERE ENTERED TO WIN ONE OF FIVE GREAT PRIZES.

 

Winners:

 

$250 SECO BILL CREDIT – Amanda Robertson, Clermont

 

RING DOORBELL – Larry Bocharski, Deland

 

NEST LEARNING THERMOSTAT – Scott McConnell, Lake Panasoffkee

 

AMAZON ALEXA – John Halpin, Ocala

 

AMAZON FIRE TABLET – Warren Hammersla, The Villages

 

Congratulations winners!

 

SECO News June 2020 Pennies From Heaven Count

 

Pennies from Heaven Count – Enroll Today

 

Thousands of SECO residential members and small business owners have been unable to pay their electric bills since the economic effect of COVID-19 hit. Can you help? Enroll in our Pennies from Heaven program to round up your monthly bill to the nearest dollar. The donated pennies fund bill payment assistance for SECO members. The average donation is $6 per year. Visit our Pennies from Heaven page to enroll. Members can also enroll through SmartHub. Choose “Bill & Pay” and click on “Pennies from Heaven.” You will need to accept the Terms & Conditions and click “Round bill to next dollar each month.”

 

If you prefer to make a one-time donation, send a check to SECO Energy, Attn: Corporate Communications, P.O. Box 301, Sumterville, FL 33585.

 

For members who have already enrolled, thank you for your generosity and your willingness to help your neighbors and communities. Your pennies make a difference in the lives of members in need. If you need help, text or call Florida 211 for resources in your area supported by SECO Pennies from Heaven funding.

 

SECO News June Emergency Operations Center Contacts (EOC)

 

EOC Contacts

 

AS PART OF YOUR FAMILY’S STORMREADY PLAN, sign up for emergency alerts from your local Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Visit your county’s EOC website for resources such as shelter information, storm planning, evacuation orders and more.

 

To enroll in your county’s emergency alerts, visit the Florida Disaster website. Enter the county or city and follow the enrollment link. Program your county’s number on your phone to have at your fingertips.

 

Citrus County EOC (352) 527-2106 or (352) 746-5470

 

Hernando County EOC (352) 754-4083 or (352) 754-4111

 

Lake County EOC (352) 343-9420

 

Levy County EOC (352) 486-5213

 

Marion County EOC (352) 369-8100

 

Pasco County EOC (727) 847-8137

 

Sumter County EOC (352) 689-4400

 

SECO News June 2020 Hurricane Handbook

 

Hurricane Handbook

 

The SECO Energy Hurricane Handbook is your one-stop guide to being StormReady before, during and after a storm.

 

The Hurricane Handbook defines hurricane category strength, outlines our restoration priority and dispels the myth that SECO disconnects service in advance of an approaching storm. Before a storm arrives, bookmark both StormCenter and our Daily Restoration Plan map on your smartphone or tablet. Enroll in your county’s alert notifications at FloridaDisater.org. We’ve included a seven-day supply stock-up list for you and your pets and advice for members who require electricity for medical equipment. Back-up generation is critical for these special needs members.

 

What to do during a storm? Hunker down and stay informed. Remain indoors and prepare to wait out the weather safely. SECO Energy crews are dispatched to begin restoration only after winds are under 35 mph. Read about the difference between a tornado watch versus a warning. Read the sections on Electric System 101 and Generator Safety.

 

Assess your home or business to make sure it’s safe before you return. If you experience damage, turn off your main breaker if it is safe to do so. If appliances are wet, turn off each appliance’s breaker and then unplug. Check our above ground and underground service diagrams to assess electric damage and know when to call an electrician for repairs.

 

Focus on your family’s safety by heeding storm watches and warnings. Stock up on hurricane essentials – buy early. When a storm approaches supplies sell out quickly.

 

Read the full June 2020 SECO News online.