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Month: August 2020

Sunshine State Stats July 2020

July was a scorcher! Twenty-six out of thirty-one days reached a high of 90 degrees or above. The average low temperature for July 2020 was 75 degrees with an average low of 69. The average high temperature was 92 degrees with a daily high of 96. The average temperature was 1 degree warmer this year than in July of 2019 at 84 degrees.

 

Sunshine State Stats blog breakdown July 2020

 

July precipitation was below normal at 4.58 inches for the month compared to last year’s monthly total of 6.24 inches. Hurricane season is well under way. Thankfully, Hurricane Isaias was nothing more than a rain event for most of SECO Energy’s service territory.

 

On average, July is the warmest month in the Northern Hemisphere. It is often referred to as the dog days of summer. Seven states on the east coast broke records for high daily temperatures. According to NOAA, in the 126 years of collected weather data, Florida’s July temperatures ranked fourth hottest since 1895.

 

August 2020 forecast:

 

Hurricanes and heat continue to be front and center for the month of August. The average temperature forecast for August is 83.8 degrees with highs reaching in the 90s on a regular basis and lows in the 70s. As the heat continues to run its summer course, it is a good idea to check the weatherstripping around your exterior doors. Any daylight that can be seen between the door and the door casing is heat entering you home. A ¼ inch gap around your door is equivalent to a basketball size hole in the wall.

 

To view historical usage, log into SmartHub for 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 consume, check out our Energy Estimator.

Florida Fauna & Flora – Ruby-throated Hummingbird

 

Florida Fauna & Flora – Ruby-throated Hummingbird

 

The most common hummingbird found in Florida is the ruby-throated hummingbird. You may also see black-chinned and rufous hummingbirds according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension. The ruby-throated hummingbird is also eastern North America’s only breeding hummingbird.

 

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are tiny. They measure only three inches long and weigh less than a penny. Males have the signature ruby-red feathers on their throats. Their back feathers are green, and they have two sets of green and black tail feathers. As is the case with many birds, females are less colorful; their feathers are green, white and black.

 

Hummingbirds do not hum. The noise is the rapid flapping of their wings. Ruby-throated hummingbirds beat their wings about 53 times per second. Hummingbirds can hover in the air, move forward and backward, down and upside down. Hummingbirds cannot soar, and their very short legs prevent them from walking or hopping.

 

Fun Fauna Fact: Hummingbirds have excellent color vision. Like many birds, they can see into the ultraviolet spectrum which humans can’t see.

 

Read the full August 2020 SECO News online.

SECO News, August 2020

 

Duncan’s Digest – Pennies from Heaven – Your Pennies Change Lives

 

To say that the first half of 2020 has been bizarre is an understatement. To assist members during the COVID-19 economic shutdown, SECO proactively waived late fees and suspended service disconnections for nonpayment. SECO also offered members flexible payment arrangement timeframes that were above and beyond normal parameters.

 

May 2018 SECO News Duncan's Digest

 

SECO Energy’s member-funded Pennies from Heaven program collects extra pennies donated by members who have enrolled. These members agree to round up their monthly bills to the nearest dollar amount. The donated pennies fund member bill payment assistance or are used to support local worthy charitable causes. The bill payment assistance funds are distributed through United Way organizations, Florida 2-1-1 and local social service agencies.

 

SECO allocated a significant portion of the Pennies from Heaven dollars to our United Way organizations and local service agencies to provide bill payment assistance to members. Because of the COVID-19 shutdown, the need for bill payment assistance is at an all-time high.

 

Many members have reached out to us asking how they can help their neighbors during this crisis. We have hundreds of new Pennies from Heaven enrollees who are having their bills rounded up. We’ve also received check donations for Pennies from Heaven. I can’t thank our Pennies from Heaven donators enough for their generosity and willingness to help. Still, the fund is running low due to the number of members who need bill payment assistance.

 

Please consider joining thousands of your fellow members by enrolling in Pennies from Heaven. The monthly donation is small – only pennies. The yearly donation is, on average, less than $6 per year. Your small change can go far when combined with all Pennies from Heaven donations.

 

This year, SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program also donated $25,500 to local food banks in Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties. SECO also received a special donation from The Villages Democratic Club for $3,000 earmarked for bill payment assistance through St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Lady Lake.

 

If you would like to donate by check, please mail it to us at:

 

SECO Energy Pennies from Heaven
P.O. Box 301
Sumterville, FL 33585

 

I am proud to be a Pennies from Heaven supporter myself. Through internal fundraising, many SECO employees also support the program.

 

If you would like to contribute your small change to help your fellow members, enroll in Pennies from Heaven today. SECO will round up your bill to the nearest dollar. The donated pennies stay local for the benefit of our members. Your small donation will supply much-needed help to members who are struggling. To enroll, visit our Pennies from Heaven page. Or log into your SmartHub account, select “Billing & Payment” and click Pennies from Heaven. Your next bill will show a line item that reflects your generous pennies donation. Thank you in advance!

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

SECO News August 2020: Advice From The Old Farmer's Almanac

 

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

 

Are you interested in flowers that will attract hummingbirds? The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends choosing flowers that are either red or orange. Some common types of flowers enjoyed by hummingbirds are bee balm, butterfly bush, lilies, petunias, red-hot poker, scarlet sage, soapwort, trumpet honeysuckle and verbena.

 

Read this month’s Florida Fauna & Flora on page seven to learn more about the ruby-throated hummingbird that is the most commonly found hummingbird in Florida.

 

 

SECO News August 2020: Chomp Down on Power Surges With Surgeo The Surge Mitigator™️

 

Chomp Down on Power Surges with Surgeo the Surge MitiGator™

 

According to the National Weather Service, Florida is the lightning capital of the United States. Approximately 1.1 million lightning strikes per year happen in our state – this is equal to 20 strikes per square mile! Surge protection is a valuable investment.

 

Unfortunately, no product will protect your home against a direct lightning strike. SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator™ will protect your home’s appliances against power surges caused by lightning that travels via power lines, through the meter and into your home. Other common causes of surges entering your home are vehicle accidents, small animals contacting the electric grid and cycling of large appliances inside the home.

 

Are you considering surge protection? Keep these facts in mind when deciding if the Surge MitiGator™ is the right choice for protecting your home’s appliances:

 

SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator™ meter-based surge arrester is installed behind the electric meter at the incoming utility service line. The arrester responds quickly when there is surge activity.

 

Grounding* is crucial because it creates a path with the least amount of resistance for the excess electricity to travel. Your home’s ground is found at the meter and is connected to the Surge MitiGator™ ground wire during installation. By connecting the surge arrester to the ground wire, surges are routed away from electrical components.

 

The voltage that enters your home is reduced to a manageable level to prevent damage to large-motor appliances. Secondary protectors or point-of-use devices, are necessary for sensitive electronics and items with microprocessors.

 

The installation of the Surge MitiGator™ is controlled and monitored by SECO. The product is “made in the USA,” so you can be sure you are investing in a device that has a proven performance track record and is installed following applicable codes and safety standards.

 

The Surge MitiGator™ is designed to protect your appliances, such as HVAC, washers and dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers and other major motor-driven residential appliances. We recommend adding a layer of protection for your more sensitive devices. Point-of-use suppressors help further reduce the small amount of let-through voltage that may pass by the Surge MitiGator™. Point-of-use suppressors also help to control surges created inside the home by appliance motors cycling.

 

Sensitive electronics in your home include televisions, DVD players, DVRs, stereos, computers and garage door openers. Make sure when buying point-of-use surge protectors to buy devices that protect additional entryways like cable and phone lines; also keep in mind warranty timeframe and monetary compensation in case of damage. This layered approach provides the best protection in the event of a surge.

 

Our Surge MitiGator™ is available for lease or purchase. You can lease the protection for only $5.95 per month plus tax with a $25 installation fee. You can also purchase the protection for $349 to $399 plus tax with free installation.

 

Have questions about the Surge MitiGator™? Don’t delay – reach out today – email Surge or call (352) 569-9960.

 

*SECO Energy’s certified installers perform a visual inspection of your electric ground before attaching the ground wire to the surge arrester inside the meter can. We strongly suggest you solicit a licensed electrician’s services periodically to check the integrity of your ground wire to ensure it is in good working order.

 

 

SECO News August 2020: Electrical Safety 101

 

Electrical Safety 101

 

Safety is SECO’s most important core value. Following electrical safety rules applies to everyone who uses electricity. Electric energy can burn and kill. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (EFSI), over 51,000 American homes are damaged or destroyed by fires caused by electrical failures each year.

 

Learn the basics about the electrical system in your home and how to prevent electrical fires. If your home is more than 20 years old, it may have outdated wiring that can lead to an electrical fire. Signs of outdated wiring include flickering lights, tripped breakers and a burning smell. The circuits may be overloaded. Electrical outlets may be outdated as well. Outlets that are damaged, loose or warm to the touch need to be repaired or replaced.

 

Home wiring is a job best tackled by a professional. Contact a reputable electrician who is licensed, insured and adheres to local code requirements. Electricians can also assist in adding extra electrical outlets that will avoid circuit overload.

 

Who is at greatest risk of suffering an injury or death from a home fire? Adults over 65. Young children with their natural curiosity are also vulnerable.

 

Electrical safety extends outside the home. You should never touch utility equipment such as underground transformers or overhead power lines. Always consider power lines to be energized and dangerous. After a storm, be especially cautious for downed wires. Stay away from downed lines and call 911 immediately. Vehicle crashes involving power poles can result in energized lines near the accident. Remain in the vehicle if it is safe to do so.

 

Teach children electrical safety as well. Children should never play on or near electrical equipment and never try to enter a substation. Warn children not to climb trees near energized lines and keep toys such as planes and kites away from overhead lines.

 

 

SECO News August 2020: Ev Charger Winner!

 

EV Charger Winner

 

Congratulations to M.J. Buczkowski of Summerfield who is the July winner of a SECO Energy branded JuiceBox Pro 40 EV Level 2 charger. We’re giving one charger away each month while supplies last. To enter to win, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner.

 

While on our website, learn more about the benefits of electric vehicle ownership on our EV pages. You’ll find an EV savings calculator, information about CO2 reduction, EV and PHEV models and a nationwide charger-finder map. Visit our Electric Vehicles page for more information.

 

Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner.

 

 

SECO News August 2020: Electrical Safety Word Search

 

Electrical Safety Word Search

 

Have some fun with our electrical safety word search. Find all the words relating to electrical safety and you’ll build on your electrical-safety knowledge.

 

August 2020 SECO News Hurricane Supplies word search

 

 

SECO News August 2020: Stay Connected With Smarthub

 

Stay Connected with SmartHub

 

Members who choose to pay their bills electronically should enroll in SECO’s online account platform called SmartHub. Members can pay via debit card, credit card or electronic check – all without the added expense of a convenience fee. Those who want to “set it and forget it” can use SmartHub to enroll in bank draft. SmartHub users can view consumption history, see past bills, update an address or phone number, choose paperless billing or request a payment extension. SmartHub is accessible via desktop computers and a user-friendly app is available for smartphones and tablets.

 

 

SECO News August 2020: LEDs An Energy-Efficient Choice or A Budget Buster?

 

LEDs An Energy-Efficient Choice or a Budget Buster?

 

LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs are quickly becoming the most energy-efficient lighting choice for your home. Compared to standard incandescent or CFL (compact fluorescent light), the purchase price for LEDs is higher. Does the higher purchase price make LEDs a budget buster?

 

Not necessarily. While LEDs are more expensive – they last longer when compared to incandescent bulbs. Your savings will add up by not replacing bulbs as often. Per the Department of Energy (energy.gov), LEDs that are ENERGY STAR rated last about 25 times longer than traditional lighting options and use 75% less energy. LEDs give off very little heat when compared to incandescents and CFLs that release 80 to 90% of their energy as heat when in use. Using LEDs will make your home more comfortable and potentially reduce cooling costs.

 

Lighting equates to a small part of your home’s electric consumption (about 5%). To lower lighting costs, SECO Energy recommends upgrading the bulbs you use most often to LEDs. What bulbs are on most often in your home? Good choices are the kitchen, living room, or family room and bathrooms. To keep your budget in check, convert the bulbs in these rooms to LEDs and gradually convert the other areas of the home when bulbs need to be replaced.

 

LEDs supply a budget-friendly return on investment when chosen for frequently used areas. LED technology continues to evolve. There are a multitude of options and colors to meet your needs. LEDs are also directional and small, so they are great for a kitchen countertop, recessed and task lighting.

 

For more energy-efficiency tips and ideas, visit our Energy-Saving Tips page.

 

Read the full August 2020 SECO News online.

SECO Energy Monitoring Tropical Storm Isaias

SECO Energy continues to monitor Tropical Storm Isaias as it moves along Florida’s east coast. The storm was downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm early Sunday morning. The current track brings the storm close to Jupiter and Melbourne.

 

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts that Tropical Storm Isaias will no longer make landfall along Florida’s east coast. The storm is moving northwest and has slowed to 8 mph with wind speeds at 60 mph. Forecasters predict that the storm will travel along Florida’s east coast toward the Carolinas. Tropical Storm Isaias will bring rain to the east coast from Florida to Maine.

 

Forecasters predict SECO’s service area could begin to feel the effects of Tropical Storm Isaias early Sunday afternoon into the early hours Monday morning. Members should expect wind gusts and heavy rains as Isaias’ rainbands move through the state. The strongest winds will affect SECO’s area beginning Sunday evening into the early hours Monday morning. The maximum sustained winds are expected to be upwards of 20 mph in eastern Marion County and Lake County with gusts up to 40 mph. Western Marion County, Citrus and Sumter Counties will have sustained winds at 18 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in mid-March, SECO Energy has taken the necessary precautions to ensure the health and wellbeing of its employees and contractors. SECO’s line crews and contractors are the key to preserving service reliability for the more than 200,000 homes and businesses the cooperative serves. The COVID-19 protections instituted for SECO employees and contractors could delay the restoration effort.

 

CEO Jim Duncan said, “Thankfully, Isaias has lost strength and is now a tropical storm instead of a hurricane. Nonetheless, SECO is ready for Isaias and its effects on our service area. We are warning members in Lake and Marion Counties to be prepared for heavy rains, winds and the possibility of power outages because of Isaias’ track through the state. Employees are ready to respond to outages. We will work until all members’ services are restored.”

 

Duncan also reminded members that SECO Energy’s StormCenter outage reporting and communications platform offers outage alerts. “StormCenter is available for members to report outages using their smartphones or tablets 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Members should also enroll in outage notifications and alerts via email, text or voice message, or all three. An alert is sent when the system recognizes that your service has been interrupted. The alert will include crew status and an estimated restoration time. You’ll also receive a notification when the service is restored, and we will include the cause of the outage if it is known at that time.”

 

Members should visit StormCenter and bookmark the site on their smartphones or tablets. On StormCenter, members can view the outage map, enroll or manage your notifications, check the status of an existing outage, report an area light outage and more.

 

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.

SECO Energy Prepared for Hurricane Isaias

SECO Energy is prepared for Hurricane Isaias as its projected track shifts east, tracking the storm slightly farther away from Florida’s east coast. Currently, Hurricane Isaias is a Category 1 storm with winds up to 85 mph.

 

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts that the storm will likely travel along Florida’s east coast toward the Carolinas. Isaias is moving northwest at 15 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend outward from the storm’s eye up to 35 miles. Tropical-storm force winds extend from the center up to 175 miles. The final track and intensity of Isaias remain uncertain, and the NHC has not ruled out a Florida landfall.

 

Forecasters predict SECO’s service area could begin to feel the effects of Hurricane Isaias as early as late morning on Sunday through the evening. Members should expect heavy rains for at least 24 hours and sustained winds in the 10 to 25 mph range with gusts up to 40 mph. The higher wind speeds are expected in SECO’s eastern part of its territory.

 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in mid-March, SECO Energy has taken the necessary precautions to ensure the health and wellbeing of its employees and contractors. SECO’s line crews and contractors are the key to preserving service reliability for the more than 200,000 homes and businesses the cooperative serves. The COVID-19 protections instituted for SECO employees and contractors could delay the restoration effort.

 

CEO Jim Duncan said, “SECO and its employees are prepared for Hurricane Isaias’ effect on our service area. We expect that members in the eastern part of our service area, particularly Lake County, will experience power outages from the heavy rains, wind gusts and lightning. Employees are on stand-by and ready to respond to outages. We will work until all members’ services are restored.”

 

Duncan also reminded members that SECO Energy’s StormCenter outage reporting and communications platform offers outage alerts. “StormCenter is available for members to report outages using their smartphones or tablets 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Members should also enroll in outage notifications and alerts via email, text or voice message, or all three. An alert is sent when the system recognizes that your service has been interrupted. The alert will include crew status and an estimated restoration time. You’ll also receive a notification when the service is restored, and we will include the cause of the outage if it is known at that time.”

 

Members should StormCenter and bookmark the site on their smartphones or tablets. On StormCenter, members can view the outage map, enroll or manage your notifications, check the status of an existing outage, report an area light outage and more.

 

Stay up to date on weather affecting SECO Energy’s service area, the latest news releases and cooperative updates by “liking” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter.