February/March SECO News

DEAR MEMBERS,

Reliable electricity is essential to everyday life. SECO Energy’s 2025 reliability performance reflects our World Class results. Reliable power supports growing communities, attracts businesses and jobs, protects livelihoods, and provides peace of mind. SECO Energy members deserve an electric system they can trust, which is why we are committed to continued improvement, thoughtful planning, and routine infrastructure maintenance.

We measure reliability using three nationally recognized metrics that serve as a report card on how well our electric system performs.

In 2025, SECO members were without power an average of just 63 minutes – slightly over an hour for the entire year. By comparison, nationwide data from 2024 shows consumers experienced an average of 662 minutes without power, or nearly 11 hours annually. That difference means homes remain comfortable and safe, and businesses can continue operating with minimal disruption.

We also track how often outages occur. In 2025, members experienced an average of less than one outage per year – .94 times to be exact. This result is well below the 2024 national average of 1.53 interruptions. For our communities, fewer outages translate

into greater productivity, safety, and confidence in planning for the future.

Equally important is how quickly power is restored when outages do occur. While we were fortunate to avoid major weather events last year, outages can still happen. In 2025, SECO’s average restoration time was only 67 minutes – more than six times faster than the 2024 national average of 432 minutes, or just over seven hours. Every minute matters, and our line technicians are prepared to respond quickly and safely.

Maintaining World Class reliability takes careful planning, disciplined maintenance, and ongoing investments in our electric grid. From routine inspections to proactive vegetation management along thousands of miles of power lines, our teams work every day to prevent outages before they happen and protect the communities we serve.

At SECO Energy, reliability isn’t measured in minutes – it’s measured in trust, preparedness, and our promise to keep you powered today and well into the future.

Sincerely,

CURTIS WYNN

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

SPRING IS HERE, and in Central Florida, that means that temperatures are back on the rise. We know how difficult it can be to stay cool without your energy bill skyrocketing. Here are some tips to cut back on your energy usage while keeping cool this spring.

USE YOUR WINDOWS TO COMBAT HEAT:

• Install window coverings or curtains that prevent heat from entering through your windows during the day. Blocking this heat will improve efficiency by lightening the workload on your HVAC system.

OPERATE THERMOSTAT EFFICIENTLY:

• Set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature while keeping in mind that the smaller the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. ENERGY STAR recommends setting your cooling temperature to 78 degrees.
• Avoid setting your thermostat colder than usual when you first turn on your air conditioner, as this could lead to excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.
• Keep your house warmer than usual when you are away and lower the thermostat when you return and need cooling.
• Enroll qualifying thermostats in SECO’s Smart Connect program and earn incentives for allowing temperature adjustments during peak demand.

USE FANS AND VENTILATION STRATEGIES TO COOL YOUR HOME:

• Keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect. Be sure to turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room.
• When you take a shower or bath, use the ventilation fan to remove heat and humidity from your home. Ensure that bathroom and kitchen fans are routed to the outside.

MAINTAIN COOLING SYSTEM EFFICIENCY:

• Schedule regular maintenance for your HVAC equipment to maximize energy affordability.
• Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your thermostat; the thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
• Regularly clean air intake vents to remove dust buildup and ensure that furniture or other objects do not block airflow through your registers.

PREVENT HOT AIR FROM LEAKING INTO YOUR HOME

• Seal cracks and openings to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.
• Seal air leaks around doors and windows using caulk or weatherstripping.

LOWER HOT WATER HEATING:

• According to Energy.gov, water heating accounts for 18% of the energy consumed in your home. Lowering your hot water setting will conserve energy and save money.

SECO Energy is excited to announce the twelve high school juniors who have been selected to attend the Florida Youth Tour in Tallahassee. This is an exciting leadership and learning opportunity for students in our communities. Student delegates will gain insight into the energy industry and cooperative business model while exploring the Florida State Capitol and Legislative Chambers.

V. ESCOBAR, Ocala

Forest High School

P. FORMAN, Minneola

Lake Minneola High School

D. HERRICK, Eustis

Homeschool

S. HYMILLER, Clermont

East Ridge High School

J. JACKSON, Minneola

Lake Minneola High School

K. LOUDEN, The Villages

Wildwood Middle High School

E. BARRIOS MEDRANO, Ocala

West Port High School

L. PATTESON, Eustis

Mount Dora High School

D. PINEIRO, Inverness

Homeschool (Abeka Academy)

M. SUDOL, Ocala

Belleview High School

H. TURO, Summerfield

Forest High School

C. WINTERS, Oxford

The Villages Charter High School

Managing your electric bill should be simple, secure, and stress-free – that’s why more members are choosing to pay their monthly bill through bank draft instead of mailing a check.

With bank draft, your monthly payment is automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account on your due date. Bank draft is the environmentally friendly choice – no stamps to buy and no need to write a check. Once you enroll in bank draft, you can relax knowing that your bill will be paid on time, every time – even when you’re away from home.

Security is a top priority. Your financial information is protected using encrypted systems, which reduces the risk of lost checks, mail delays, or fraud. Bank draft minimizes handling and provides a safe, reliable way to pay your bill month after month.

After enrolling in bank draft, go green and paperless – paperless billing makes bill management even easier. Instead of waiting for a paper bill, you’ll receive your statement electronically, which is faster, more secure, and accessible anytime through our online account management platform SmartHub. Paperless billing reduces clutter, supports environmental sustainability, and ensures you always have a digital record at your fingertips.

Bank draft and paperless billing are convenient. You’ll save time by eliminating manual payments, late fees, and trying to remember due dates. Your bill is available for review each month, you can track payments easily, while letting bank draft work automatically in the background.

Choosing bank draft and paperless billing is a smart, secure, and hassle-free way to manage your SECO Energy account – and enjoy greater peace of mind every month.

If you notice an area light that is out, flickering, or on during the day, report the malfunction online using LightFinder on our StormCenter platform. LightFinder is available to report outage light issues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even on weekends.

To report, visit SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter and choose LightFinder. Enter the pole number or closest address in the search bar in the upper left. An icon represents each light. Working lights are shown as a green icon, while a red icon is a light that has already been reported as malfunctioning. The icon is orange if the light has been repaired in the last 24 hours. A gray icon represents inactive lights, and a blue icon is a member-owned light.

Complete the short reporting form and submit your email address to receive updates about the light’s repair status.

BOARD MEETING DATES

The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, February 23, at 2:30 p.m. in the Corporate Offices at 330 South US HWY 301 in Sumterville.

A Trustees’ meeting will also be held on Monday, March 30, 2026.

Read the full February/March SECO News.