Central Florida didn’t see a White Christmas in December 2019. The temperatures were warm even by Central Florida standards. The monthly average temperature was a mild 66 degrees – which was 4 degrees warmer than the average temperature in December 2018. The highest daily recorded temperature was 85 degrees and the lowest daily recorded temperature was 41 degrees. That’s a fluctuation of 44 degrees between hot and cold so most likely both cooling and heating units ran in December.
December 2019’s average high temperature was 76 degrees with an average low temperature of 57 degrees. In December 2018, the average high temperature was 71 degrees while the average low temperature was 53 degrees.
Families who were visiting for the holidays from colder areas were pleased with the warm temperatures. Locally we enjoyed 11 days of high temperatures over 80 degrees in December 2019. Rainfall for the month was higher than last month at 3.67 inches. Rainfall for December 2018 was higher than 2019 at 5.55 inches.
While parts of the U.S. were blanketed in snow, Central Florida’s early morning temperatures were in the mid to high forties. If you had visiting family and friends, the afternoon highs and extra visitors probably required extra HVAC cooling. Members who used heat during the colder mornings and cooling in the warmer afternoons can expect to see an increase in energy consumption on their December billing statement. ENERGY STAR recommends setting your heat to no higher than 68 degrees during the winter months.
Have you scheduled an annual HVAC service? January and February are typically the coldest months in Florida. A well-maintained unit runs more efficiently and helps lower your energy usage. Read more about HVAC service and maintenance in November SECO News.
January 2020 forecast:
January 2020 is forecast for an average high of 75 degrees with high temperatures reaching the low 80s. The average low is forecast at 56 degrees with 14 or 15 days dropping into the 40s. Precipitation levels are forecast to be low with the best chance for rain in the middle of the month.
To check historical usage, log into 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.
October 2019’s monthly average temperature was a warm 79 degrees – which was 2 degrees warmer than last October’s average temperature of 77 degrees. The highest daily recorded temperature was 92 degrees and the lowest daily recorded temperature was 65 degrees.
Central Floridian’s felt the effects of Tropical Storm Nestor in the middle of the month with increased rainfall. In October 2019, rainfall came in at 4.73 inches – up from 1.81 inches last October.
October 2019’s average high temperature was 87 degrees which matches the average high temperature for October 2018. The average low temperature was 71 degrees, which was 3 degrees higher than the average low of 68 degrees in October 2018.
Based on the warmer average temps and higher than projected kilowatt hour sales, many members received an electric bill for October usage that is higher than the bill received for usage in October 2018.
November 2019 forecast:
November 2019 is forecast for an average high of 78 degrees which is the same as the average high temperature in November 2018. The best chance for rain is at the beginning of the month and the forecast looks to be drier in November 2019 compared to November 2018.
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.
Hurricane Dorian’s outer rain bands lashed the eastern portion of SECO Energy’s service area overnight Tuesday and continue into Wednesday. SECO’s electric system fared well during wind gusts that topped a reported 40 mph.
Hurricane Dorian is hovering off Florida’s east coast this morning as a CAT 2 hurricane with maximum sustained wind speeds at 105 mph. Dorian is moving north-northwest at 8 mph. SECO members can expect Hurricane Dorian’s outer bands to dump more rain on the already saturated ground. Dorian’s rain bands are forecast to clear SECO Energy’s service territory later tonight. For the remainder of the day SECO members located east of I-75 can expect rain bands, isolated lightning and wind gusts up to 40 mph.
September is typically the peak of Atlantic hurricane season. According to the National Hurricane Center, as of early Wednesday morning there are five active Atlantic tropical cyclones and disturbances. SECO Energy’s new Hurricane Handbook is available on SECOEnergy.com by clicking on the homepage banner. The Hurricane Handbook is a member guide for preparing before, during and after a storm. The cooperative has included tips on generator safety, restoration priorities, downed power line safety, electric system 101, Florida’s Move Over Law and more.
CEO Jim Duncan stated, “SECO Energy’s service area will most likely experience a rainy Wednesday while Hurricane Dorian moves away from Central Florida. Overnight, crews responded to a handful of outages. In fact, as of this morning less than 100 members experienced an outage caused by Dorian. The hurricane’s rain and wind bands haven’t cleared out of our system yet, outages caused by lightning, heavy rains and falling trees may still occur.”
Duncan added, “The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season is far from over. Hurricane Dorian was a timely reminder that Floridians need to prepare for tropical storms and hurricanes that affect our area. Read the Hurricane Handbook, keep your supplies updated and continue to watch local weather reports.”
StormCenter is SECO Energy’s outage and communications platform for members to report outages, check the status of an existing outage and enroll in outage communications and alerts via email, text, voice or all three. Visit StormCenter online and bookmark on your smartphone or tablet to report outages quickly and easily.
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.
May 2019 was a heck of a lot hotter than May 2018 with an average high of 89 compared to 85 last year. The average temperature was 80° – a full three degrees hotter, as May of 2018 had an average temperature of 77°. Rainfall was down significantly for May of 2019 at just 1.22 inches compared to last May at 8.28 inches.
There were 456 cooling degree days and 0 heating degree days for May 2019, while last year there were 363 cooling degree days with 0 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° outside on a particular day, there are 5 Heating Degree Days for that day in that location.
JUNE FORECAST:
June 2019 is forecast for an average high of 89 degrees which is very close to last year’s average high. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal this June compared to 2018.
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.
** Past weather data sourced from Leesburg Airport weather station.
Atlantic hurricane season makes its formal appearance on June 1 and ends November 30. In early May, however, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) was already tracking its first tropical disturbance in the Atlantic. NHC, a part of NOAA, at the time this publication went to print, had not released its official forecast.
The Weather Channel 2019 outlook calls for a total of 14 named Atlantic storms, seven hurricanes and three “major” hurricanes. That forecast is slightly above the 30-year average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. A major hurricane is a Category 3 or stronger which means winds greater than 111 mph.
Unfortunately, no forecast can accurately predict the future. The lifesaving approach is to expect the unexpected and prepare in advance for the possibility of a power outage. Gather your hurricane supplies now. Water and plywood sell out when storms threaten. It’s essential to stock non-perishable food to sustain each family member for at least three days. If you need guidance, view SECO’s Emergency Preparation Checklist online.
Whether you plan to evacuate or stay put during a major event, enroll in outage notifications through StormCenter. Choose email, voice or text message – or all three. Take a tour of the outage map. Search for and bookmark your address. Create a SECO Energy StormCenter icon on the home screen of your smartphone or tablet.
We’ve added a new StormCenter feature. You can now check the status of a reported power outage. Visit StormCenter, click on “Check Status.” Input your last name and house number, account number or phone number on record.
StormCenter provides updates that include the time the outage began, estimated restoration time, crew status, cause if identified and when the outage was restored.
SECO has developed one of the nation’s most comprehensive Emergency Restoration Plans to respond to major storm damage. Restoring service to the largest number of members in the quickest amount of time is our goal, but with required priorities for shelters, schools, hospitals and government buildings.
If you or a family member have special needs, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org to locate your county and join the statewide Special Needs Registry. Other valuable resources for emergency planning are the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross.
Don’t be caught unprepared for the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. SECO Energy is StormReady and equipped to respond quickly to outages affecting members. We are here for you. It is our privilege to serve your family’s energy needs.
Sincerely,
Jim Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
Meet SECO Champion Jerry Bolduc – an example of our 400+ SECO Champion employees. Jerry is dedicated to providing exceptional service to members, co-workers and communities.
JERRY BOLDUC – LEAD PROJECT ENGINEER
LENGTH OF SERVICE – 14 YEARS
“SECO is amazing.”
SECO Champion Jerry Bolduc is a Lead Project Engineer at our SECO Headquarters. Before working at SECO, Jerry was employed by a large investor-owned utility. As a SECO member and an employee, he appreciates the cooperative difference in service that SECO offers members. During the three back-to-back hurricanes in 2004, Jerry assessed damaged areas and directed contract crews across the service territory. He was amazed by SECO’s storm response and the efficiency and organization shown during major restoration efforts. Originally from Canada, Jerry moved to Central Florida 20 years ago. He has participated in Ironman Triathlon Events including Escape from Alcatraz where he swam with sharks in San Francisco Bay. Jerry enjoys working in the field in sunny Florida (no snow) and is proud to be a SECO member, too.
HVAC TUNE-UP AND FILTER CHANGE
Summer heat is quickly approaching. Weather.com predicts June through August temperatures will be above average in our area. Before your HVAC system begins its summer workout, schedule a tune-up with a reputable HVAC technician.
The technician should thoroughly inspect your HVAC to ensure it’s in good running condition. The system may need to be cleaned or serviced. Preventative maintenance is easier on the wallet than major repairs down the road. A well-tuned HVAC runs more efficiently, uses less energy and saves on cooling and heating costs.
Is it time to change your HVAC filter? A clean HVAC filter also helps your system run efficiently. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and change filters as recommended.
POWER LINE SAFETY
Downed power lines are a safety hazard. Car accidents involving power poles, trees taking down a line or poles broken by heavy wind or rain have the potential to bring us too close to electric lines.
Electric energy can burn, shock, injure or kill you. Never assume a power line is safe to touch. Always assume a power line is live and has the ability to harm you. Children are especially curious and may knowingly or unknowingly approach a downed line. Talk with your kids and grandkids about the dangers of downed power lines.
Warn children to never play near or on substation fencing. Do not climb trees near power lines or allow kites, toy planes or balloons to touch power lines. Don’t release helium balloons at a birthday party or other celebration. These can tangle in lines or become deadly for Florida wildlife.
If you see a downed line, stay away and warn others away as well. Call 911 immediately to report the downed line.
RELAY FOR LIFE – 6TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Thank you to all players, sponsors and employees who participated in SECO Energy’s 6th Annual Relay For Life Golf Tournament “Tee-Up for a Cure” at Arlington Ridge Golf Club in Leesburg on Saturday, May 4th. Players enjoyed 18-holes of golf, chance to win door prizes and fellowship.
The Relay For Life Golf Tournament sponsored by SECO raised $16,600 for the American Cancer Society.
SECO and its employees are long-time supporters of the American Cancer Society and its premier annual Relay For Life events. Join SECO and its Commitment to Community by partnering with your not-for-profit cooperative on a virtual SECO Relay For Life team.
Join a SECO Energy team by visiting Relay.ACSevents.org and look for “Find a Participant or Team” and choose “Team.” Enter team name: “SECO Energy” and click “Search.” Choose a local Relay event and virtually join Team SECO and the American Cancer Society in the fight against cancer.
January 2019’s average high was 68° and the average low was 48° – a couple of degrees warmer than last January. January’s average temperature was 58°, while January of 2018 had an average temperature of 56°. Rainfall for January of 2019 was 3.02 inches compared to last January at 3.68 inches.
Based on data from the Leesburg weather station, February’s average high will hit around 71° and the average low is 49°. Those averages may cause residents to run heating units overnight and to switch to cooling in the afternoons. Based on the current forecast, Central Florida residents will see some afternoon highs in the low to mid 80s in mid-February. That said, if you haven’t changed your HVAC filter since last year, now is a good time to do so. It’s also a good time to have a qualified technician perform a health check on your system – well before the heat of summer is upon us.
Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2018. For those with heat pumps, raise the thermostat setting no more than 1-2 degrees at a time when heating is being used to prevent back-up heat strips from operating. Heat strips can cost up to 5 times more per hour.
There were 27 cooling degree days and 250 heating degree days for January 2019, while last year there were 29 cooling degree days with 292 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.
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.
December 2018 was chilly compared to December 2017. The average temperature was 62°, while December of 2017 had an average temperature of 64°. The average high in December 2018 was three degrees cooler than 2017. This December also saw heavier precipitation. Rainfall for December 2018 was 5.55 inches compared to last December at 1.20 inches.
There were 62 cooling degree days and 157 heating degree days for December 2018, while last year there were 81 cooling degree days with 107 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.
January 2019 is forecast to be somewhat the same as last January and is still Central Florida’s coldest month of the year. Our local forecast calls for lows in the 40s for at least sixteen nights in January. Be sure you’ve changed your heating unit’s air filter and have had the unit serviced by a qualified technician. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal so keep an umbrella handy.
For those with heat pumps, raise the thermostat setting no more than 1-2 degrees at a time when heating is being used to prevent back-up heat strips from operating. Heat strips can cost up to five times more per hour in 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. 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.
** Past weather data sourced from Leesburg Airport weather station.
October 2018’s average high of 87° was 2 degrees warmer than last October. The average temp was 77° – still pretty warm for October. Rainfall for October of 2018 was 1.81 inches compared to last October at 2.63 inches.
There were 373 cooling degree days and 1 heating degree days for October 2018, while last year there were 379 cooling degree days with 15 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.
November 2018 is forecast to give us daily high temperatures in the 70s and 80s right through Thanksgiving. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2017. By replacing a dirty HVAC filter, you can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% – 15%. Per ENERGY STAR, investing in a programmable thermostat can save you up to $180 a year on energy costs. Ask for one for Christmas!
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.
** Past weather data sourced from Leesburg Airport weather station.
August 2018 was similar on average to August 2017. The average temperature was 83°, while August of 2017 had an average temperature of 84°. The average high this year was 91 – just one degree lower than last year. Though it seemed like it rained every darn day, rainfall for August of 2018 was 4.88 inches compared to last August at 7.91 inches.
There were 556 cooling degree days and 0 heating degree days for August 2018, while last year there were 595 cooling degree days with 0 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.
September 2018 is… well… still hot with highs in the high 80s and low 90s. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2017. Thankfully, Fall is around the corner bringing cooler temperatures, allowing your air conditioners to get a much-needed break.
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.
July 2018 was pretty darn hot with nearly daily rain showers. The average high was 90°. The average temperature was 82°, while July of 2017 had an average temperature of 84°. The average low was 75°, compared with an average low of 76° last July. Rainfall for July of 2018 was 7.45 inches compared to last July at 7.91 inches.
There were 524 cooling degree days and 0 heating degree days for July 2018, while last year there were 590 cooling degree days with 0 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.
August 2018 is forecast to be somewhat the same as last year with average high temperatures in the 90s. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2017. The continuation of afternoon showers could give your HVAC units a much-needed break.
Hurricane Season Update: Chances that the global climate pattern El Niño will develop this fall were increased in the most recent forecast, boosting confidence in revised predictions for a below-normal hurricane season. The federal Climate Prediction Center’s July El Niño forecast is giving it a 65 percent chance of appearing in the fall, and about a 70 percent chance of a winter formation.
For Florida, the periodic warming of the equatorial Pacific Ocean can mean a less active hurricane season with fewer of the powerhouse Cat 5 tropical cyclones known to build during the peak months of August through October.
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.
