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SECO News, April 2020

 

Duncan’s Digest – Name the New IVR Virtual Assistant

 

I have exciting news to share. SECO’s new interactive voice response (IVR) phone system launched in early March. The system is available 24/7, is user-friendly and is a big leap forward in customer service technology.

May 2018 SECO News Duncan's Digest

 

The former phone system was in desperate need of an upgrade. With recent laws banning handheld phone use while driving, the new natural language IVR is a safer alternative and is easier to navigate.

 

The new IVR features a virtual assistant who uses natural language technology mimicking a real conversation. Previously manual tasks can now be completed virtually with full automation. Without pressing numbers on your keypad, you can report an outage, initiate a billing inquiry or make a payment arrangement at any time without speaking to a representative. Members can also log into SmartHub at SECOEnergy.com and request a payment arrangement.

 

Using the new IVR, you can check the status of an existing outage, learn the estimated restoration time and crew status. The IVR’s outage component functions much the same as the online StormCenter platform. Members who aren’t so tech-savvy will receive the same information and level of service as online members.

 

Another benefit of the virtual assistant is its call back feature. If you have tried to call us on Monday morning or the Tuesday after a holiday, you may have noticed longer hold times. With the virtual assistant, you can request a call back during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. This call back saves your place in the queue, and you don’t have to wait on hold. A future phase of the IVR will include virtual assistance with high usage inquiries, meter re-reads, new service connects, disconnects and transfers.

 

The virtual assistant is our newest SECO representative who can assist thousands of members simultaneously. This will come in handy during hurricane season when perhaps 100,000+ are without power at once like during Hurricane Irma.

 

We like our virtual assistant a lot and think she needs a name. I’m asking for your help and want to give you a chance to listen to the great features of the new IVR. Visit our Name the IVR page or click on the homepage banner. Play the four sample recordings of our new virtual assistant. Verify your account information and cast your vote for one of the name options:

 

1. Electra
2. Ernestine
3. Katie Kilowatt
4. SECO Elle
5. Trudy Transformer

 

Your entry places you in a drawing to win one of five great prizes: a $250 SECO bill credit, a Ring doorbell, a Nest Learning Thermostat, an Amazon Alexa and an Amazon fire tablet. Enter before May 15. We’ll announce our new virtual assistant’s name and contest winners in June SECO News.

 

This new system is indeed state-of-the-art technology and it came with a corresponding price tag. The good news is that it will pay for itself over the years as more members experience it firsthand and are willing to self-serve using the IVR. No employees will be displaced by the new technology. I encourage members to use it to their advantage and ours as a not-for-profit cooperative committed to affordable, reliable electric service for years to come.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 


Right Tree, Right Place April 2020 SECO News

 

Right Tree, Right Place

 

What is green, creates oxygen and can help you reduce your annual energy costs? Trees, of course! Choosing the right tree to plant in the right place can help you reduce energy costs and reduce tree-related power outages.

 

Plant trees to the south, southwest or west side of structures to reduce cooling costs in the summer. Native Florida shade trees that grow well in Central Florida according to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are Florida elms and hophornbeam trees.

 

Block fall and winter winds by planting evergreens and shrubs on the north and west side of structures. UF/IFAS lists hollies, southern magnolias and sweetbay magnolias as native Floridian evergreen shade trees. For shrubs, choose azaleas, bottlebrush, Indian hawthorn, juniper, loropetalum or tea olive. Plant shrubs close to your home’s foundation to insulate against cold weather.

 

Trees growing too close to power lines can cause sparks, fires, power outages and shock hazards. Maintain a clear zone of 15 feet on each side of an overhead line. Before planting a tree, consider its mature height and its proximity to overhead power lines. Trees that grow to a mature height of 40 feet or higher should be planted at least 50 feet away from power lines. Small ornamental trees or shrubs that will not exceed 25 feet in height are best to be planted closer to lines, but outside the clear zone.

 


 

Advice from the Old Farmer's Almanac January 2020 SECO News

 

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

 

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC lists April 1st and 2nd as well as the 27th through the 29th to turn April showers into May flowers by planting aboveground crops. For belowground crops, plant on April 9th and 10th or the 18th or 19th. Are you planning on spring cleaning? The best day to wash windows is the 20th through the 22nd. Clean your floors on either the 18th or 19th and paint on the 7th or 8th.

 


Safety Corner Downed Line Dangers April 2020 SECO News

 

Safety Corner – Downed Line Dangers

 

Overhead power lines are a necessary component of SECO Energy’s electric system. Never touch an overhead line – even if the line is broken and on the ground after a storm. Always assume an overhead line is energized. Touching it could cause severe injury and even death.

 

Never lean a ladder against a power line or trim trees growing too close to lines. Warn children not to play on or near electric equipment. Do not allow children to fly kites or toy planes, climb trees or release balloons near power lines.

 

Use these tips to help keep you and your family safe from the risk of contacting an energized power line.

 


April Safe Digging Month April 2020 SECO News

 

April – #SafeDiggingMonth

 

Spring’s warmer weather adds to-do items to your list. Before picking up a shovel to install a new fence, plant a garden or add landscaping or trees, contact 811 to locate the underground utilities on your property.

 

Florida law requires you to call 811 or go online before digging. The 811 service is free. April is #SafeDiggingMonth – remember to call 811 or visit Sunshine811.com before you dig!

 

Read the full April 2020 SECO News online.

SECO News, February 2020

 

Duncan’s Digest – Solar & Battery Project Pilot

 

SECO Energy’s Engineering department recently embarked on a solar and battery energy storage pilot project. If you travel County Road 470 near our Sumterville headquarters, you may have noticed the new 6,000-watt solar array installed just outside the fence on the southeast corner of our Sumterville substation.

May 2018 SECO News Duncan's Digest

 

The goal of the project is to learn more about solar arrays, battery storage and how battery-stored energy feeds back into our system. This knowledge will also prepare SECO employees assisting members who are interested in solar and battery storage investments at their homes or businesses.

 

We contracted with local solar array vendor Solar Trek to construct the 6,000-watt ground-mounted solar array and battery storage system. The panels are positioned to face south for maximum sun exposure.

 

The array was built to offset the utility-supplied power that is required to serve the load in the substation’s switchgear enclosure. You can see the solar array from the road, but the energy storage batteries are housed in a cabinet outside of the substation switchgear.

 

Solar systems – whether installed residentially or commercially – produce energy from the sun in the form of direct current (DC). Inverters are installed on each solar panel to convert the DC power produced by the panels to alternating current (AC) that is usable in homes and businesses.

 

The solar panels will produce an anticipated average of 25 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day or approximately 750 kWh per month. Each panel is connected to a micro-inverter that maximizes efficiency by converting DC to AC power at the panel. The battery storage is configured for charge by the solar system.

This stored energy is released onto SECO’s electric system twice per day, at 9 a.m. and before 6 p.m.

 

The pilot project offers a variety of data for SECO’s Engineering staff to collect and study. SECO will measure the amount of AC power produced by the panels and the amount of energy the battery inverters will use to convert AC to DC then back to AC voltage. Also, SECO will assess the amount of energy required to charge the batteries and how much energy the battery inverter uses to convert DC to AC voltage.

 

Ultimately, we will monitor the collected data to compare the costs and benefits of energy storage and the impact of possible investments in future large-scale solar enterprises.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 


February 2020 SECO News Surge MitiGator

 

SECO Champion – Surgeo The Surge MitiGator™

 

Length of Warranty: 15 Years

 

 

Power surges are sudden, powerful increases in voltage that can damage or destroy household appliances and sensitive electronics. The common cause of power surges is lightning, but small animals, trees, birds or vehicles crashing into SECO Energy poles or lines also cause surges.

 

For just pennies a day, SECO’s Surge MitiGator™ helps take the bite out of damaging power surges and spikes that can occur at your home. The Surge MitiGator™ is installed at the electric meter to help prevent high voltage spikes and surges from entering your home and sending voltage into your large appliances.

 

Sign up online before March 31 and receive $25 off installation. Lease the Surge MitiGator™ for only $5.95 per month plus tax with free installation for 200-amp residential services. For services over 200 amps, installation is reduced to $75. Or you can purchase the protection for $349 to $399 with free installation for online enrollments.

 

This valuable protection is “Made in the USA” and includes a beastly warranty. Sign up for the Surge MitiGator™ protection online to receive $25 off installation.


Advice from the Old Farmer's Almanac January 2020 SECO News

 

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

 

FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH OF LOVE! Are you planning a wedding? The Old Farmer’s Almanac has chosen the best days to get married in February 2020 are 12th and 13th just in time for Valentine’s Day on the 14th. Take your new spouse on a honeymoon camping trip on the 16th and 17th. Thinking of buying a new home? The best days to buy are the 2nd and the 7th. If you are selling a home, the best days to sell are the 28th and 29th. The best days to ask for a loan are the 11th and the 15th.


February 2020 SECO News LightFinder area light reporting

 

Area Light Out?

 

SECO Energy’s online StormCenter outage reporting and communications platform also includes LightFinder – our easy, convenient area light outage reporting tool. Use LightFinder to report area light malfunctions including a light outage, a day burner, flickering light or another issue.

 

LightFinder is available 24/7 at SECOEnergy.com > StormCenter. Choose the LightFinder tile. In the search bar, find the area light by entering the pole number or near address to locate. An icon represents each SECO-served area light. Click on the icon to report the light malfunction. Review the light’s details and add comments if needed. Include your email address in the submission to receive updates about the light’s repair status.

 

A green light icon indicates there is no known area light issue. When an area light trouble ticket is issued, the icon turns red. Lights represented by an orange icon have been repaired in the last 24 hours. Member-owned lights are shown as a blue icon and inactive lights are indicated by a gray icon.

 

SECO repairs most area light issues in less than 24 hours.


February 2020 SECO News Energy Estimator

 

Energy Estimator

 

Are you interested in determining the energy use per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of the electronics and appliances in your home? Our online Energy Estimator calculates the amount of energy and associated cost.

 

With spring around the corner, are you thinking of adding a new hot tub, buying an electric golf cart/car or building a new swimming pool? Use the Energy Estimator for an estimate of how your energy usage and costs may change.

 

To use the Estimator, gather information about your home’s electronics’ wattage and hours per day usage. Don’t forget about water heating, refrigeration, laundry, cooking, lighting and miscellaneous electronics. The Energy Estimator will break down the energy costs for each item annually and monthly. Calculations are based on 1,000 kWh usage with SECO’s current Power Cost Adjustment (PCA/Hot Bucks) credit applied.

 

Explore the Energy Estimator tool online. Input the wattage and daily hours used for each electronic and appliance in your home. To receive energy-savings suggestions via email, provide your email address and submit.

 

Read the full February 2020 SECO News online.