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Author: Amanda Richardson

SECO News, April 2018

Duncan’s Digest

2017 Annual Report

Dear SECO Energy Members,

In this edition of Duncan’s Digest, I want to bring your attention to our newly released 2017 Annual Report which details the cooperative’s strong fiscal performance. Members who attended our March 24 Annual Meeting received a hard copy. It’s also available at SECOEnergy.com>Newsroom>Annual Report. Read it and then click over to Facebook to play Annual Report Trivia for a chance to win a $300 bill credit.

 

Duncan's Digest 2017 Annual Report

 

Find the answers to the trivia questions in the pages of the Annual Report related to our cooperative’s history, ASCI score, J.D. Power awards, the Board of Trustees and our robust financial performance. The trivia contest runs from March 26 through May 6.

 

Annual Report 2017 Trivia QuestionsTo give you a head start, the excerpt below also appears on page 1 of the Annual Report. The first clue appears in the first paragraph. Answers to the other questions appear in other Annual Report pages.   

 

SECO Energy’s beginning was humble.  Prior to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1935 Rural Electric Act, also known as the REA, a home powered by electricity in rural Central Florida was only a dream. With low-interest loans from the REA, local farmers and ranchers formed Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. in 1938. A small group of original SECO employees started the utility from scratch, installing poles and stringing miles of electric line. On November 12, 1938, SECO turned on the lights to 400 rural homesteads in our service area. Before the close of 1938, additional homes in nearby areas were electrified. For these rural Floridians, quality of life changed dramatically.

 

Over the last 80 years, SECO has grown alongside the communities it serves. We’ve morphed from a small, rural utility to one of the fastest-growing cooperatives in the nation. SECO achieved a significant milestone in late 2017 when the cooperative energized its 200,000th meter. Today, SECO Energy is “200,000 Strong – 80 Years in the Making.”

 

Members without internet access can request a copy of the Annual Report and trivia questions mailed to you. Return the answers to SECO by May 6 for entry in the $300 bill credit drawing.

 

It is our privilege to serve as your energy provider. Thank you for your membership.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

HVAC Tune-up TimeHVAC Tune-up Time

 

HVAC EFFICIENCY INCREASES with a clean filter and annual service by a qualified technician. Your unit will operate more effectively and thus reduce your electric usage.   If your technician suggests you need a new unit, you are welcome to contact SECO for a free second opinion before committing to the purchase.

 

One of our certified Energy Services Specialists will visit your home to inspect your unit and provide a written assessment. Schedule an appointment today by visiting SECOEnergy.com>Contact Us. Select “Request Energy Audit” and submit your contact information. We’ll be in touch within just a few days.

 

 

Size Matters - Selecting a Generator

Safety Corner

Size Matters—Selecting a Generator

 

Thinking about installing a generator before Hurricane Season? Follow these important safety warnings:

 

  1. A qualified electrical contractor must perform the installation of an emergency generator, disconnect
    and transfer switchgear. This is not a DIY job.
  2. Only an electrician is qualified to connect a generator to an electrical panel. You could be electrocuted and also endanger our field employees.
  3. Always follow local, state and national fire and electric codes. Permits are required.
  4. Once installed, always disconnect from your metered electric utility service before starting your backup generator. 951701
  5. Never run an electric generator inside a building – even in a garage. It is a hazard and violates safety codes.
  6. Store gasoline and diesel in approved containers out of the reach of children. Never fuel the generator while it is running.
  7. Extinguish all flames and cigarettes when handling fuel.
  8. Ensure proper ventilation and airflow around the generator.
  9. Stage a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher near the generator.
  10. Use extension cords free of exposed wires and frayed shielding.
  11. Never remove or tamper with a generator’s safety devices.
  12. Do not attempt to repair a generator. A qualified technician should perform repairs and service as needed.
  13. Generator engine parts are very hot during operation. Severe burns may result. Keep children away at all times.
  14. Generators are sold by power output measured in watts. Before purchasing, discuss your home’s size/watt needs with a knowledgeable retailer.

 

Hurricane Season begins on June 1. Get ready today!

 

Read the full April SECO News online.

Nature’s Reflections – Florida’s Burrowing Owl

A pint-sized owl that’s active both day and night

 

The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia floridana) is one of our smallest owls, standing just nine inches tall with a wingspan of 21 inches. Unlike other owls, this owl is a ground dweller, preferring open fields and prairie-type areas well away from trees. It spends most of its time on the ground foraging or guarding its burrow which is where it gets its name. Camouflaged brown plumage helps it blend into its surroundings. It has bright yellow eyes, but no ear tufts and longer legs. This raptor needs open fields and short, herbaceous ground cover, like pastures, golf courses, or agricultural fields. It can be spotted during the daytime standing erect and on guard at the mouth of its burrow or perched on a fence post. Once disturbed, the owl clucks or chatters its displeasure and bobs its head in agitation. Burrowing owls often fly in a wavy, up and down fashion as if negotiating an invisible obstacle course. It can also hover in mid-air – an effective technique used for capturing prey. Florida’s warm climate provides this owl with plenty of its favorite foods: grasshoppers, beetles, mole crickets, small rodents, earthworms, lizards, frogs, toads, snakes, etc.

 

Florida Burrowing Owl imageIn Florida, burrows are used year-round. While the owls sometimes use gopher tortoise or armadillo burrows, most pairs excavate their own, which may extend four to eight feet underground. Burrows are lined with grass clippings, animal feces and decorative pieces of shell, feathers or trash.

 

Nesting begins in the fall and peaks in the spring. Four to ten unmarked white eggs are laid over a one-week period. Three to four weeks later, hatchlings are born covered with grayish-white down and eyes closed. Chicks emerge from the burrow after two weeks. Although proficient fliers at six weeks, chicks typically do not leave their parents until about 12 weeks old.

 

Both the eggs and young are at risk to predators, snakes, opossums, raccoons and skunks. Nests may be lost or
destroyed by construction activities, malicious destruction by people, or by flooding during heavy rains. This owl is classified as “Threatened” by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission primarily due to the loss of native habitat. Burrowing owls and their eggs are protected from harassment and/or disturbance by state law and protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

 

Column & photos by Sandi Staton – sandi.staton@gmail.com

 

Read the full Nature’s Reflections article in the April 2018 SECO News online.

 

Sunshine State Stats, February 2018

February 2018 was much warmer than February 2017. In fact, per the Orlando Sentinel, Central Florida broke the record for the warmest February in history. Temperatures started out near normal in early February. Beyond that, well-above-normal temperatures generally persisted over the region for the remainder of the month as a strong ridge of high pressure locked in place over the Sunshine State.

 

Sunshine State Stats February 2018

Per the Leesburg Airport weather station, their average temperature for February of 2018 was 71°, while February of 2017 had an average temperature of 67°. The average high was a balmy 81°.

 

February was not only much hotter than normal – it was also drier than normal. Rainfall for February of 2018 was 0.49 inches compared to last February at 1.55 inches.

 

There were 193 cooling degree days and 11 heating degree days for February 2018, while last year there were 84 cooling degree days with 32 heating degree days. The Degree Days are based on how much warmer or cooler the average temperature at a particular location is than 65°F. In other words, if the average temperature is 60° degrees outside on a particular day, there are 5 Heating Degree Days for that day in that location.

 

March 2018 is forecast to be similar but heavier rainfall than normal as compared to 2017. Since spring begins in March, it would be a good time to have your HVAC system serviced to be ready for a Sunshine State summer.

 

If you want to check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and 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. If you want a member of our Energy Services team to come to your home to perform a free energy audit, contact us today to book an appointment.

SECO Buys Marion County Students’ Swine and Steer

Last week, Kathy Judkins, SECO Energy’s Deputy Director for Civic, Charitable and Government Affairs, purchased one steer and three swine at the Marion County Southeastern Youth Fair at the Ocala Live Stock Pavilion.

 

Each year, hundreds of students glean from the exposure they’ve received from participating in the youth fair. They learn how to care for their animals which is very evident when they step into the auction’s area seeking the highest bid from buyers. Besides seeking the highest bid, the students gain something greater – work ethic, finance and business management skills.

 

As a buyer representing SECO, Judkins purchased a steer from Riley Thoresen, a junior at Belleview High School, who showed a steer for Wild n’ Country 4-H Club that weighed in at 937 pounds. Riley plans to use her profits from the sale to continue saving for college where she hopes to become a behavioral analyst.

 

Later in the week, Judkins purchased two pigs from Dunnellon High School Future Farmers of America (FFA). Christen Adams’ pig weighed 252 pounds and Barry Duncan’s pig weighed 225 pounds. A third pig was purchased from Cassidy Clarke, a SECO member and a senior at Belleview High School, who showed a 236-pound pig for the Wild n’ Country 4-H Club. Fighting back tears, Clarke stated, “I’ve been showing pigs for twelve consecutive years, and I’m going to miss it. This year’s swine auction will help me with my college funding. My love for animals will continue because I’ve been accepted into Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton Georgia where I plan to major in Pre-Professional Biology and then transfer to a Veterinary Science Program.”

 

Judkins stated, “The youth fair gives students an introduction to agriculture and animals that they may never receive otherwise. For decades, SECO continues to be a proud supporter of the students in rural agriculture programs. From an educational standpoint, these students are learning valuable skills that will prepare them for remarkable careers.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO’s participation in youth livestock programs in the counties we serve also helps the cooperative identify and encourage students whose homes are served by SECO to apply for the scholarship program. This year, SECO will award twelve $3,000 scholarships to high school seniors enrolling in a Florida institute of higher learning. Academic achievement, financial need and other factors are considered by the judges, but participation in 4-H or FFA gives students added points. I encourage these students to visit our website and apply today because the submission deadline is March 30.”

 

Visit our Community page to learn more about SECO’s community outreach programs. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Nature’s Reflections – Eastern Meadowlark

Easily identified by the black “V” on its chest

 

Florida’s Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) is a songbird found throughout rural areas of Florida. Its breeding range covers most of eastern North America and parts of South America. Experts say it is difficult to distinguish between the Eastern and Western species as it can be determined only by voice and location. Seventeen subspecies of the Eastern Meadowlark are documented.

 

Actually, the meadowlark is not a lark at all. It is a member of the blackbird family (Icteridae) which also includes cowbirds and orioles. Meadowlarks are easily identified by the bright yellow throat and belly. However, the most distinguishing mark in adults is the black “V” on its chest. It can often be seen on a fence post belting out its clear, melodious songs and whistles.

 

Adult birds weigh just over five ounces, are seven to ten inches tall with a wingspan of 14 to 16 inches. Both sexes are similar in size, although females are normally smaller with a shorter wingspan.

 

This bird prefers grassy fields, pastures, cultivated fields, golf courses and other open habitats. It is a good friend to the farmer/rancher and a bug-eating machine. Insects comprise more than 75 percent of its diet, with grains and seeds making up the balance. It is especially fond of grasshoppers and crickets, as well as insect larvae and grubs. It feeds on the ground, picking insects from the surface or probing the soil to reveal its prey. Meadowlarks also eat the seeds of many weeds.

SECO Energy Nature's Reflections March 2018 2nd photo

 

Males have two, sometimes three, mates at a time. Females build nests on the ground using soft woven grasses and hide them in the taller grass of an open field. The nest usually has an arched “roof” with a side entrance. A clutch of two to six grayish-white eggs speckled with brown and lavender may be laid any time from late March through July. Eggs are incubated by the female for 13 to 15 days. The young fledge at 12 days. The parents continue to tend them for about two weeks until they are able to fly. Juveniles are similar to adults, but the black “V” becomes prominent in adulthood. The meadowlark has been known to live ten years in captivity.

 

Numbers have declined drastically in recent years, probably because of habitat loss.

 

Column & photos by Sandi Staton – sandi.staton@gmail.com

 

Read the full Nature’s Reflections article in the March 2018 SECO News.

SECO News, March 2018

March is Annual Meeting month at SECO Energy. Employees are excited to host the thousands of members, friends and family who will attend the upcoming meeting on Saturday, March 24. Registration opens at 8 a.m. and the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m.

 

Duncan's Digest March 2018

 

I’m providing a sneak peek into the festivities with our 2018 Annual Meeting Map so you can navigate the compound that morning.

 

But first, did you RSVP online? Visit Annual Member Meeting or click on the home page banner. Members who RSVP online and attend the meeting are entered into a drawing for a $300 bill credit.

Save the Date

 

Upon arrival, you’ll find plenty of parking and golf cart service to shuttle those with disabilities to the registration tents. Registration lines move quickly with a copy of your bill. Photo ID is required. An additional registration tent is reserved for members using scooters, wheelchairs and walkers. Registration is where you receive tickets for gifts, breakfast and door prizes. After registration, be sure to stop at Station One – the prize ticket barrel. Drop your ticket and cross your fingers for luck.

 

Next, bring your ticket to Station Two to receive your 2017 Annual Report, SECO gift and Bylaws Voting Booklet. Amble over to Station Three with your ticket in hand for a hot breakfast sandwich (one per guest please). Enter the coffee line for a cup of joe or visit a drink station for water or a soft drink. We also serve plenty of doughnuts and cookies. Limited picnic tables and high boy tables are available on the south side of the Annual Meeting Pavilion. You are welcome to bring your own folding/camp chairs or grab a seat under the Pavilion.

 

After breakfast, make your way to the Energy Showcase and present your Station Four ticket for an additional gift – an LED provided by Seminole Electric, our wholesale power provider. Browse SECO’s energy efficiency displays. Visit with our employees and energy-savings partners. Drop by the solar demonstration on the northeast side of the Annual Meeting Pavilion to see SECO’s Solar Square project in action.

 

While cruising the grounds, locate a member of our Facebook Help Squad. Take a selfie or a picture with a SECO photo frame that shows you having a blast at the meeting. Members who “like” SECO’s Facebook page and post a photo or comment during the meeting are eligible to win a $300 bill credit. Need help? The Facebook Help Squad will help you snap and post the picture and “like” SECO’s page.

 

Head over to the Annual Meeting Pavilion to find a seat. We’ve added almost 1,000 extra seats this year to accommodate about 4,200 under the Pavilion. Snap your fingers and tap your heels to live music by Margo Rochelle and Rodeo Drive Band. Enjoy another bottle of water or soft drink or a fresh cup of coffee, and munch on a cookie or doughnut. Read through the Board-recommended Bylaws Voting Booklet before the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. Participate in the cooperative democratic process and vote on the Bylaws revision. Or ask me a question during the Q&A session.

 

At the close of the business meeting after the Bylaws vote, have your ticket stub available to see if there is a match during the door prize drawing. Prizes include a refurbished 2009 Chevy Colorado, an electric golf cart, cash prizes and bill credits. We have lots of other door prizes to give away including iPads and gift cards.

 

You must be present to win, so I hope to see you there!

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 

Read the full March SECO News online.

SECO Energy Awarded Outstanding Large Business

The Sumter County Chamber of Commerce awarded SECO Energy the 2017 Outstanding Large Business of the Year at its Celebrate Sumter Annual Dinner and Awards Gala on January 19, 2018, at the Savannah Center in The Villages.

 

The Annual Awards Gala celebrates businesses, large and small, in Sumter County. Members of Sumter County’s business community stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a greeting from County Commissioner Doug Gilpin. The Honorable Judge Militello took the stage to swear in the Chamber’s 2018 Board Members including SECO’s Hank Bolduc, Key Accounts Consultant. Before dinner began, Sumter County Sheriff, William Farmer, delivered the night’s invocation. The group enjoyed dinner and live entertainment, followed by live and silent auctions.

 

During the awards presentation, SECO Energy’s Vice President of Corporate Communications and Energy Services Kathryn Gloria accepted the award naming SECO as Sumter County’s Outstanding Large Business of the Year. Gloria stated, “On behalf of SECO Energy’s CEO Jim Duncan and the Board of Trustees, I am honored to accept the award for Outstanding Large Business. Since our founding in 1938, SECO’s roots have been firmly planted in Sumter County which is home to our headquarters and many SECO employees as well. These employees are local residents who come running to restore power and answer the phones during storms. They are often your friends, neighbors and sometimes even your family members. I am delighted to share this honor with the employees of SECO Energy.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “It is an honor to be recognized as Sumter County’s Outstanding Large Business of the Year. This accolade is a credit to SECO’s Board of Trustees’ governance, the executive team’s leadership and our employees’ dedication and hard work. Thank you, Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, for this award and for your long-time support of local business and communities.”

 

The 2017 awardees recognized by the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce include: Dawn Hodges – Outstanding Chamber Volunteer; House of Hope – Outstanding Non-Profit; La Hacienda Catering – Outstanding Small Business; SECO Energy – Outstanding Large Business; Connie Mahan – Business Woman of the Year; and Matt Hatcher – Business Man of the Year.

 

“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Members Re-elect District 9 Trustee Jerry Hatfield

On Thursday, February 8, members who attended the District Meeting voted to re-elect Jerry Hatfield to represent District 9 on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. Hatfield, a SECO member since 1971, was first elected to the Board in 2000 and currently serves in an Officer position as Vice President.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members elect their fellow members to SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the financial status of the cooperative while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the members at large.

 

Members in District 9 gathered at Spring Creek Elementary in Paisley to elect a District 9 Trustee for a three-year term. In January, Hatfield and Mount Dora resident Dennis Armstrong expressed a willingness to represent the members of District 9, each submitting their letter of intent to run.

 

Hatfield stated, “Thank you District 9 members for again electing me to serve on the SECO Energy Board of Trustees. I am grateful to be able to serve my community and fellow SECO members through my continued Board service. As a long-time Lake County resident, I am humbled by the confidence and trust bestowed upon me by SECO’s District 9 members.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “I congratulate Mr. Hatfield on his re-election and continued service to SECO members.  Mr. Hatfield is a valuable member of SECO’s Board and a trusted member of his community. It is a pleasure to work with a Board that is member-focused and committed to the Cooperative’s success. I also extend my gratitude to our District 9 members who attended the meeting and participated in SECO’s democratic process.”

 

Duncan added, “I hope to see all of you at SECO’s Annual Meeting of the Membership in March. Enjoy breakfast and snacks, browse energy efficiency displays at the Energy Showcase and stay through the business meeting for the door prize drawing. This year, door prizes include a refurbished 2009 Chevy Colorado, an electric golf cart, cash and more.”

 

SECO members are invited to the 80th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 24.  Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., and the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. The meeting is located across the street from the corporate headquarters at 293 S. Highway 301 in Sumterville. Members who RSVP online and attend the meeting will be entered in a drawing for a $300 electric bill credit.

 

View photos and brief bios of the Trustees along with an interactive District map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Members Re-elect District 8 Trustee Bill James

On Thursday, February 1, members who attended the District Meeting voted to re-elect Bill James to represent District 8 on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. James became a SECO member in 2002 and was first elected to the Board in 2010.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members elect their fellow members to SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the financial status of the cooperative while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the members at large.

 

Members in District 8 gathered at The Manor at The Plantation at Leesburg to elect a District 8 Trustee for a three-year term. James has served on SECO’s Board for eight years, and ran unopposed.

 

James stated, “Thank you District 8 members for again electing me to serve on the SECO Energy Board of Trustees. I am privileged to continue my work with the cooperative, CEO Jim Duncan, SECO’s senior management team and my fellow Trustees. It is a pleasure to use my 50+ years of experience in the electric utility industry to make a difference in the quality and value of the electric service in the Central Florida communities served by SECO Energy.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “I congratulate Mr. James on his re-election and continued service to SECO members. Mr. James’ electric utility industry knowledge and experience is an asset to SECO’s Board. It is a pleasure to work with a Board that is member-focused and committed to the Cooperative’s success. I also extend my gratitude to our District 8 members who attended the meeting and participated in SECO’s democratic process.”

 

Duncan added, “I hope to see all of you at SECO’s Annual Meeting of the Membership in March. Enjoy breakfast and snacks, browse energy efficiency displays at the Energy Showcase and stay through the business meeting for the door prize drawing. This year, door prizes include a refurbished 2009 Dodge Dakota pick-up truck an electric golf cart, cash and more.”

 

SECO members are invited to the 80th Annual Meeting of the Membership on Saturday, March 24. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., and the business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. The meeting is located across the street from the corporate headquarters at 293 S. Highway 301 in Sumterville.

 

View a photo and brief bio of our Trustees along with an interactive District map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Members Use 30% More Energy in January

To help members understand increasing energy bills this winter, SECO Energy has published its Central Florida January weather blog

 

January 2018 was much colder than January 2017. The average low in January was a chilly 46 degrees – last year at the same time the average low was a warmer 54 degrees. Central Florida residents experienced ten days of lows in the 30s and one day in the 20s, when snow flurries were reported at the Leesburg Airport!

 

SECO’s residential members consumed, on average, 30 percent more energy in January this year than last year. Members’ bills will reflect the increased energy consumption. SECO is advising members to expect an increase in usage and billing amounts of 30 percent or higher due to the cold weather.

 

Heating costs can vary widely depending on your home’s type of heat unit. If your thermostat does not have an “emergency heat” setting, then you will likely have electric resistance heat (also known as heat strips). This type of heating costs up to five times more to operate than a heat pump or conventional air conditioning unit.

 

SECO Energy’s Kathryn Gloria, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Energy Services, reminds members to be energy efficient in the colder months. “For energy efficiency, ENERGY STAR® recommends setting your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower. Members can install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat and utilize the pre-programmed settings to save energy year-round. And don’t forget to check the weather stripping on your windows and doors and re-seal as needed.”

 

Gloria added, “Even if you didn’t raise your thermostat settings in January, your heating unit ran more frequently to maintain your home’s temperature. That’s why it’s important for members to have their HVAC units serviced annually by a qualified technician and change the air filter according to manufacturer’s instructions.”

 

Members who are concerned about their January energy usage increasing more than 50 percent over last year’s usage are urged to contact SECO for a high usage investigation. To arrange for an Energy Services Specialist to visit and conduct the investigation, use the handy web form to contact SECO by visiting www.SECOEnergy.com. This service is free to SECO members.

 

There were 292 heating degree days for January 2018, while last year there were only 116 heating degree days (HDDS). Degree Days are based on how much warmer or cooler than 65°F the average temperature at a particular location is. With nearly three times as many HDDs in January, your heating units will have run more frequently to maintain your temperature setting.

 

For members who would like to learn more about energy efficiency, visit SECOEnergy.com and request a free in-home energy audit. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

Sunshine State Expanded stats January 2018

 

FAQ:

 

Why is my bill higher this January than it was last year? Temperatures were much colder this January. The average low temperature was only 46 degrees compared to 54 degrees last year. Even if you didn’t raise your thermostat settings during January’s cold weather, your heating unit ran more frequently to maintain your home’s temperature.

 

How do I ensure my heating unit is working properly? Have your unit serviced annually by a qualified technician. The best time is typically in the spring or fall before the extreme temperatures of summer and/or winter.

 

What should I set my thermostat at during cold weather? The recommended setting for heat is 68 degrees or lower.

 

How do I know if I have a heat pump unit? A heat pump thermostat will have an “Emergency Heat” setting.

 

What is the cost difference in a heat pump and electric resistance heat? Electric resistance or heat strips can cost up to five times more to operate than a heat pump unit.

 

I have a heat pump. Aren’t these supposed to be energy efficient? Heat pumps are very efficient; however, when temperatures drop into the 30s, heat pumps rely on auxiliary heat also known as emergency heat. Your thermostat will indicate if “auxiliary” or “emergency” heat is operating. Keep in mind that Central Florida experienced 20 days with temps that dropped to the 30s and one day that dropped to the 20s. During these low temperatures every type of heating unit ran frequently to maintain warmth.

 

How do I use a heat pump most efficiently? Set it and forget it. The less you adjust the thermostat the better. If you do need to make an adjustment, raise the temperature slowly one or two degrees at a time to prevent the emergency heat from operating.

 

What else can I do to get my heating bill down?

  • Lower the thermostat to the lowest setting you are comfortable with. You can save 3-5 percent on your electric bill for every degree lower you set the thermostat.
  • Be sure to check your weather stripping and caulking. A leaky house will use more energy and produce higher bills.
  • Close your drapes or blinds at night to help retain the heat in your home.

I’m not even using my heat because I have space heaters, so why did my bill go up? Space heaters cost 15-17 cents per hour to operate. If you’re using two space heaters, the cost per hour would be about the same as a three-ton heat pump.

 

My bill is double the amount of last year’s bill and I can’t afford to pay it right now. What can I do? Contact us. For members whose bills are 50% higher than last year due to cold weather or a malfunctioning heating unit, SECO may be able to offer payment arrangements and waive late fees.

 

What energy efficiency tools does SECO offer to help me reduce energy use? 

If you want to check historical usage, log into SmartHub to view past bills and 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.