StormCenter logo

Archive

April 2022 Sunshine State Stats

The weather warmed up in Central Florida in April 2022. The average temperature for the month was 73 degrees, which was 3 degrees warmer than last month’s average. The average high was 83 degrees while the average low was 63 degrees.

 

Sunshine State Stats April 2022 temps

 

The highest daily recorded temperature in April was 90 degrees and the lowest was 45 – the highest recorded daily temperature in March 2022 was 89 degrees and the lowest recorded daily temperature was 36. April was a bit dryer than average with 2.26 inches of rainfall – or half an inch lower than the monthly average.

 

High temperatures reached into the 90s in April 2022. Twenty-four days in the month reached over 80 degrees – with summer approaching, expect daily highs in the 80s, 90s and above. Temperatures at night and early morning are warming up, too. Twenty-five days in the month the low temperature reached into the 60s and 70s.

 

Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30. The last seven hurricane seasons have seen a tropical storm or hurricane form in May. Now is the time to begin planning for the upcoming hurricane season. Don’t wait until a storm is approaching our shores to prepare. Read our Hurricane Handbook to learn more about what to do before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane.

 

May forecast:

 

Daily high temperatures will soar over 80 degrees and into the 90s for May 2022. The best chance for rain is early in the month. Members may notice an increase in their April energy usage if they used air conditioning to combat the daily high temperatures during the month.

 

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a warm May with an average temperature of 76 degrees, which is average for our area. Rainfall is predicted to be above average in May.

 

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.

 

March 2022 Sunshine State Stats

Spring, sunshine and warmer days arrived in March 2022 after a winter with temperatures that measured below average. The average temperature for the month was 70 degrees, which was 6 degrees warmer than last month’s average. The average high was 81 degrees while the average low was 59 degrees.

 

Sunshine State Stats temps March 2022

 

The highest daily recorded temperature in March was 89 degrees and the lowest was 36 – the highest recorded daily temperature in February 2022 was 88 degrees and the lowest recorded daily temperature was 39. March was soggy with 6.36 inches of rainfall – over 2 inches above the month average.

 

March’s daily temperature fluctuations were extreme. The monthly difference from the average high to the average low was 22 degrees. The highest daily temperature fluctuation was 32 degrees. Nineteen days in the month reached over 80 degrees for the high daily temperature, while low temperatures dropped into the 40s and 50s.

 

Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30. The last seven hurricane seasons have seen a tropical storm or hurricane form in May. Now is the time to begin planning for the upcoming hurricane season. Don’t wait until a storm is approaching our shores to prepare.

 

April forecast:

 

Daily temperatures are warming up, members should expect temperatures to reach into the 80s and possibly low 90s throughout the month. Members may notice an increase in their March energy usage if they used air conditioning to combat the daily high temperatures during the month.

 

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a warm April with an average temperature of 71 degrees, which is average. Rainfall will be less than average at 4 inches.

 

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.

 

February 2022 Sunshine State Stats

Warmer temperatures appeared in February 2022 after January’s below-freezing cold snap. The average temperature for the month was 64 degrees, which was 2 degrees cooler than last month’s average. The average high was 75 degrees while the average low was 53 degrees.

 

Sunshine State Stats February 2022 temps

 

The highest daily recorded temperature in February was 88 degrees and the lowest was 39 – the highest recorded temperature was 85 in January 2022, while the lowest recorded temperature was 32. February saw little rainfall, only 0.7 inches while the average rainfall in February is 2.87 inches.

 

February’s daily temperature fluctuations were extreme. The monthly difference from the average high to the average low was 22 degrees. The highest daily temperature fluctuation was 32 degrees. Twelve days in the month reached over 80 degrees, while the low temperature dropped into the 30s and 40s during ten days in February.

 

January 2022 temperatures were unseasonably cold in Central Florida. Nighttime temperatures in February 2022 were cold and daytime temperatures were very warm. Members may notice an increase in their February energy usage if they used both air conditioning and heating during the month.

 

March forecast:

 

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a warm March with an average temperature of 71 degrees, which is 4 degrees warmer than average. Rainfall will be scarce – only 1 inch, which is 2 inches below average for the month. Expect daily high temps of 80 degrees or more with lows in the 50s.

 

Now’s the time to schedule an HVAC service check before summer heats up. A well-maintained HVAC system runs more efficiently and helps you avoid unexpected downtime and repair costs. Read December 2021 SECO News to learn more about scheduling an HVAC service.

 

 

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.

 

January 2022 Sunshine State Stats

January 2022 ushered in the coldest temperatures of the winter season for Central Florida. The average temperature for the month was 58 degrees, which was 12 degrees colder than last month’s average. The average high was 68 degrees while the average low was 48 degrees.

 

January 2022 Sunshine State Stats temps

 

The highest daily recorded temperature in January was 85 degrees and the lowest was 32 – the highest daily temperature was 85 in December 2021 as well, while the lowest recorded temperature was warmer at 45. January is starting with a rainfall deficit. This month rainfall measured only 1.29 inches while the average January rainfall is 3.32 inches.

 

January temperatures swung from very high to very low. Three days in the month reached over 80 degrees for the high daily temperature, while six days the low temperature dropped into the 30s.

 

With the fluctuating and extremely cold temperatures, members will likely notice their January energy usage increase from December 2021. The last weekend of January, portions of SECO’s service area experienced temps in the low 20s. To ensure electric grid stability and help conserve energy, SECO asked members to lower their thermostats to 65 degrees – 3 degrees lower than the ENERGY STAR recommended energy-efficiency heat setting. Over 8,000 members responded with photos of their thermostats to show compliance and curtailed household tasks like laundry and running the dishwasher to conserve.

 

February forecast:

 

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a colder-than-average winter in Florida. Prepare for cold or freezing temperatures into early February. Precipitation will also be above average. For February 2021, expect rain early in the month. Daily highs will stretch into the 70s with lows in the 40s.

 

With temperatures running colder than average, your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) unit may run longer and more frequently this year than in previous years. If you didn’t schedule an HVAC tune up, now is the time before temperatures warm up for spring and summer. Read December 2021 SECO News to learn more about scheduling an HVAC service.

 

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.

 

SECO News January 2022

SECO News January 2022 Message From Board President And District 4 Trustee Richard Dennison

Dear Members,

 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and SECO Energy, please join us in welcoming Curtis Wynn as our new CEO. Mr. Wynn takes the helm on January 4, stepping into Jim Duncan’s role as he retires after a distinguished 43-year SECO career. 

 

Mr. Wynn’s energy industry career is rooted in Florida. From 1981 to 1997, he worked at West Florida Electric Cooperative.  His tenure culminated there as Vice President of Member Services, Information Technology, Marketing and Economic Development. Mr. Wynn has served as President and CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative in North Carolina.  Roanoke is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that serves 14,500 metered accounts. 

 

Mr. Wynn is married with three children. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management Information Systems from Troy University. Based on his electric cooperative career that spans almost 42 years, SECO’s Board of Trustees expects that Mr. Wynn will continue Mr. Duncan’s legacy of success at SECO.

 

In reviewing his bio, Mr. Wynn’s resume reflects a long list of awards and accomplishments showing a history of supporting creative solutions that are turning the challenges of the energy industry evolution into major opportunities. 

 

He also serves or has served on a variety of boards including: immediate past board president, National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA); past president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of North Carolina Electric Membership Cooperative; board member, North Carolina’s Association of Electric Cooperatives; board member, Meridian Cooperative (formerly Southeastern Data Cooperative – SEDC); and past nominating committee member, CoBank.

 

SECO Energy provides electric service to 220,000+ homes and businesses across seven counties in Central Florida. SECO Energy is a three-time J.D. Power award-winning electric utility and is a front runner statewide and nationally with the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

 

Welcome, Mr. Wynn. We look forward to working with you and seeing our cooperative into the future supporting our strategic goal of providing affordable, reliable electric service.

 

Sincerely,

 

Richard Dennison 

Board President and District 4 Trustee

 

 


 

SECO News January 2022 Payment Mailing Address Change

Payment Mailing Address Change

For members who prefer to pay their monthly energy bill by mail, our payment mailing address has changed. The new payment address is:

 

SECO Energy

DEPT # 3035

PO BOX 11407

Birmingham, AL 35246-3035

 

This change is effective on January 1.

If you are considering a more modern and secure payment option in place of writing a paper check, visit SECOEnergy.com > My Account > 12 Ways to Pay. Using SmartHub, you can enroll in bank draft, schedule a credit/debit card payment or pay by e-check. SmartHub also allows you to opt-out of receiving a paper bill in favor of an eBill sent to your email address each month after your meter is read.  This helps us keep rates low by saving time and money – both for you and SECO. 

 


Pennies From Heaven Donates $3,485 To The American Cancer Society

SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven Program donated $3,485 to help fight cancer. From October 1 through November 15, 2021, for every member who enrolled in our Surge MitiGator surge protection, your not-for-profit electric cooperative donated $5 from the Pennies from Heaven program to a local chapter of the American Cancer Society.

 

697 members enrolled resulting in donations totaling $3,485. 

 

Take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes with the Surge MitiGator. Power surges are caused by lightning, vehicles crashing into SECO poles, small animals, birds or fallen trees. 

 

SECO’s made in the USA meter-based surge arrester reduces surges BEFORE they enter your home through the meter. The Surge MitiGator has a beastly 15-year warranty and is designed to protect your home’s large-motor appliances. Household appliances and sensitive electronics such as televisions and computers can be damaged or destroyed by power surges and also require point-of-use devices for adequate protection.

 

You can lease the MitiGator for only $5.95 plus tax per month plus a $25 installation fee. The purchase price ranges from $349 to $399, with installation included. To enroll, visit SECOEnergy.com > Surge MitiGator and complete the web form.

 


SECO News January 2022 Second AMI Pilot

Second AMI Pilot

 

In 2014, SECO Energy engaged with a smart meter vendor in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) pilot project of about 1,200 meters. After the pilot, we installed 36,000 meters in our territory. Unfortunately, the product did not perform as expected. The meters and communications equipment were removed and returned to the vendor.  

 

Since then, we’ve kept an eye on the market. In 2018, we conducted workshops with eight different major smart meter vendors. Each offered a slightly different product and provided varying performance expectations based on the type of communications systems their brand offered. Because SECO’s service territory is a mix of dense suburban areas, metropolitan areas and sparsely populated rural areas, we require a product that will perform in a variety of terrains. Several vendors offered to build a hybrid to accomplish that. Unfortunately, it comes with a hefty price tag. Thus, we decided to take small steps to determine what product is best for SECO.    

 

Late in 2019, SECO announced a pilot project that replaced 6,200 outdated prepaid meters with Elster/Honeywell AMI meters that used Verizon 5G technology. The Board of Trustees recently approved an additional pilot project for a broader comparison and benchmark using Landis+Gyr technology. Both the Elster/Honeywell and the Landis+Gyr pilot projects will help us gain the experience of operating an AMI system. 

 

AMI meters supply daily usage readings that will integrate with SECO’s online account management platform SmartHub. Through this SmartHub integration, members will have much more insight into their energy consumption and habits. AMI also has the potential to reduce labor costs and can expedite member requests for service reconnection or disconnection. Meter tampering and line loss can also often be identified using AMI. Immediate identification of outages is also a strong advantage of an AMI system. Distribution automation in an AMI system can improve power quality, optimize efficiency and provide comprehensive data for planning, engineering and maintenance.

 

To identify the strengths and weaknesses of both AMI products/vendors, SECO requires a test period that spans all seasons to glean the data and field experience in real-time. SECO can analyze the data gathered from both pilots once complete.

 

Technology is changing rapidly, and we must choose a product and vendor that will serve SECO into the future. AMI is likely one of the largest equipment and technology investments we will make in the coming decade. Watch SECO News for updates as we evaluate our pilots. 

 


 

SECO News February 2021 Winners' Circle

WINNERS CIRCLE

Engage with our virtual assistant Electra on the phone for a chance to win a $25 gift card. Winners who self-served using Electra are: 

 

Joseph Hrytzay from Sorrento

Daizebel Ortiz from Tavares

Carol Bullock from Inverness

Conrad Penchion from Ocala

Joan McDonald from Lady Lake

 

The latest winner of a SECO Energy Level 2 EV Charger is Irene Jaronczyk from The Villages. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner. Visit our Electric Vehicles website section to learn more about the benefits of owning an EV.

 

Winners in our Go Green and Win: Paperless Billing and Bank Draft Incentive

 

Kelli Wilson from Ocala is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

William Barnes from Floral City is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

Benjamin Mohr from Clermont is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa. 

Congratulations to our recent winners!

 

Read the full January 2022 SECO News online.

 

November 2021 Sunshine State Stats

Central Florida felt its first winter-like temperatures in November 2021. The average high temperature reached 76 degrees, while the average low reached only 56 degrees. The average temperature for the month was a cool 66 degrees which is 12 degrees lower than the previous month.

 

November 2021 Sunshine State Stats temps

 

In November 2021, the highest daily temperature recorded was 85 degrees, which is 10 degrees lower than the highest recorded temp in October 2021. The lowest recorded temperature this month was 45 degrees, which is 12 degrees lower than the lowest temp recorded in October 2021. Rainfall increased this month to measure 3.61 inches and is above November’s average of 2.53 inches.

 

The Atlantic hurricane season officially ended on November 30, with Central Florida remaining unscathed for the season.

 

Members may notice their energy usage for November 2021 increase slightly from October 2021 if you’re running the heat on chilly mornings/evenings. Daily temperatures that reach into the 80s and chilly mornings in the 40s, along with Florida’s humidity mean HVACs will run for longer periods of time and more frequently to keep temperatures stable inside the home. Wide daily temperature fluctuations also increase HVAC usage. In November 2021, the largest daily temperature fluctuation was 30 degrees.

 

December forecast:

 

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts winter in Florida will be colder than usual. Prepare for the most frigid temperatures to begin in mid-December and continue into early February. Precipitation will also be above average.

 

With temperatures running colder than average, your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) unit may run longer and more frequently this year than in previous years. Now is the time to schedule an HVAC service call with a licensed technician. Read December 2021 SECO News to learn more about scheduling a winter HVAC service.

 

For December 2021, The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts the temperature will average 62 degrees for the month, which is 1 degree below average. Precipitation is forecast to be 3 inches above average. Look for daily highs in the low 80s to low 70s with lows dipping into the low 50s.

 

Take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes with SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection. Our meter-based surge arrester protects large appliances by reducing surges BEFORE they enter the meter. Learn more about the Surge MitiGator.

 

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.

 

SECO News December 2021

SECO Energy CEO, Jim Duncan

 

Happy Trails, J.D.!

 

Dear Members,

 

I announced my retirement from SECO Energy earlier this year after 43 years of service. Time has flown, and this major life change is bittersweet and much more emotional than I’d ever anticipated. Much has changed over the last four decades, but growth has been the constant since our founding in 1938.

 

When I came onboard as SECO’s Finance Director in 1979, our meter count totaled 36,823. In my first CEO Report at the 1991 Annual Meeting, I reported our meter count increased to 66,000 – a 44 percent increase in membership. In 1999, we reached the 100,000-meter milestone.

 

At the end of 2017, we surpassed the milestone of energizing our 200,000th meter. As I write this farewell address, the company’s infrastructure value has just surpassed the $1 billion mark. The growth isn’t slowing down. In fact, The Villages recently earned the title as the fastest growing metropolitan area in the nation over the last decade with a Sumter County growth rate of 39%. Lake and Marion counties’ growth rates continue to climb at 29% and 13%, respectively. That kind of growth is rare in a not-for-profit electric utility business model and it’s one of the milestones that I am most proud of as I take my last walk from the building on January 3.

 

Over the course of the four decades, our cooperative’s employee giving campaigns have raised more than $1 million for our local United Ways to improve quality of life for the members in our service territory. Our Pennies from Heaven program is a program whereby members enroll to have their bills rounded up to the nearest dollar. The extra change is donated to the Pennies fund and the funds are used for bill payment assistance for our members and other worthy causes. The Pennies program has generated millions of dollars in our local area to help SECO members.

 

As a Marine, I’m proud that we annually support the Toys for Tots campaign. We are a company of employees who have made a difference in the lives of others through not only their financial generosity, but also in their commitment to ensuring that you receive the most reliable, affordable electric service possible.

 

Pinnacle examples of member satisfaction with our employees’ efforts are reflected in the three J.D Power awards we earned in 2015, 2016 and 2017. We’ve also been recognized by our members through increasing ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index) ratings with a record-high 91 in 2020. We are both a statewide and national frontrunner in ASCI rankings.

 

I spent the last decade building a leadership team that has made it possible to reach these milestones under Board of Trustee leadership that supported our ability to meet the ever-growing demand for power with cost controls that preserve low rates for members. Over the last two years, the COVID challenge placed unprecedented strain on our ability to operate safely and efficiently but our employees persevered. Still, I am retiring at a time when supply chain challenges threaten utilities’ ability to keep up with a growing population of new residents and businesses that are moving to Florida for not only the lifestyle but the economic prosperity.

 

The incoming CEO-elect Curtis Wynn is supported by a leadership team and 400 employees who he can count on to help him continue the legacy. It has been my distinct pleasure and privilege to lead this company and the membership who deserve our commitment to affordable, reliable electric service and our StormReady approach during hurricane season.

 

We hold up under crisis and are the fastest utility to recover even when hurricanes sweep right through the middle of the state. I can’t begin to explain how proud I am to have been at the helm and this goodbye is the toughest thing I have had to muster in my career. Thank you for letting me spend 43 years of life in service to you and our employees. It’s been my honor.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 


 

Advice from The Old Farmer's Almanac December 2021 SECO News

ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

 

The Old Farmer’s Almanac explains how to figure out cooling and heating degree days. To determine a cooling degree day, use the base temperature of 65 degrees. Every day the temperature reaches 65 degrees is a cooling day. For every degree over 65, adds one cooling degree. On a day that the mean temperature reaches 85 degrees, the cooling degrees would be 20.

 

To figure heating degree days, take the same base of 65 degrees, and subtract the mean daily temperature. For example, if a day’s high temperature was 50 degrees and the low was 40 degrees, the mean high is 45 degrees. This would give you 20 heating degree days.

 

Do you have cheimatophobia, frigophobia, or psychrophobia (fear of cold)? Be sure to read page 3 and schedule an HVAC service before winter temps arrive in Central Florida.

 


HVAC Service December 2021 SECO News

DON’T BE LEFT IN THE COLD – SCHEDULE A WINTER HVAC SERVICE

 

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts winter in Florida will be colder than usual. Prepare for the most frigid temperatures to begin in mid-December and continue into early February. Precipitation will also be above average.

 

With temperatures running colder than average, your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) unit may run longer this year than in previous years. Now is the time to schedule an HVAC service call with a licensed technician.

 

During a service call, the technician should thoroughly inspect your HVAC to ensure it’s in good running condition. The system may need to be cleaned or serviced. HVAC units that are serviced regularly function more efficiently and use less energy to heat (or cool) your home resulting in lower energy costs.

 

Preventative maintenance helps extend the life of your HVAC unit and avoid unexpected, costly repair bills. Complete at-home maintenance such as checking for leaks and removing dirt or debris away from external components proactively. Set a calendar reminder to change your unit’s air filter monthly or follow the manufacturer’s suggested filter change schedule.

 

For more energy-efficiency tools, visit our Energy Efficiency page. Our Home Energy Assessment is an online energy audit that provides energy-efficiency advice tailored to your home’s features and lifestyle. The Energy Estimator calculates the amount of energy used and associated costs for electronics, appliances and almost anything that uses electricity in your home. Submit with an email address to receive low-cost energy-efficiency tips specific to your home.

 


United Way December 2021 SECO News

SECO ENERGY UNITED WAY PLEDGES REACH $1 MILLION

 

Since 2004, SECO Energy employees have participated in yearly employee-led United Way Pledge Drives to benefit our local communities. For the 2022 United Way Pledge Drive, our employees pledged $50,282.

 

With our 2022 pledge total, SECO employees’ total pledges have now surpassed the one-million-dollar milestone to reach $1,041,766!

 

Employees choose the county that receives their donations. Most of our employees live in Sumter, Lake, Marion and Citrus Counties.

Lake & Sumter Counties………………………………….$21,392
Marion County………………………………………………..$16,075
Citrus County……………………………………………………$7,043
Other Counties (listed below)……………………………$5,772
Gilchrist, Hernando, Levy, Orange, Pasco and Polk
TOTAL $50,282

 

Do you want to give back to your local community and have pennies to spare? Enroll in SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program and agree to have your bill rounded up to the nearest dollar each month. We donate the extra pennies for worthy causes in our service area or member bill payment assistance.

 

Enroll in Pennies from Heaven today and change lives. Visit SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-Op > Pennies from Heaven and complete the enrollment web form.

 


 

SECO News February 2021 Winners' Circle

WINNERS CIRCLE

Engage with our virtual assistant Electra on the phone for a chance to win a $25 gift card. Winners who self-served using Electra are:

 

Claudia Bryce from Summerfield

 

James Burdick from Eustis

 

Ricardo Valdes from The Villages

 

Eileen Bennett from Clermont

 

The latest winner of a SECO Energy Level 2 EV Charger is Gary Chevillet from The Villages.To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner. Visit our Electric Vehicles website section to learn more about the benefits of owning an EV.

 

Winners in our Go Green and Win: Paperless Billing and Bank Draft Incentive

 

Daniel Cahya from Ocala is the winner of a $200 SECO Energy bill credit.

 

Dean Woodle from Leesburg is the winner of a NEST thermostat.

 

Juanita McLean from The Villages is the winner of an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

 

Congratulations to our recent winners!

 

Read the full December 2021 SECO News online.

 

September 2021 Sunshine State Stats

Fall arrived in September 2021 and temperatures began to cool off slightly. Don’t get out your heavy jacket yet. Winter temperatures are still months away and daily highs are still hitting over 90 degrees.

 

September 2021 Sunshine State Stats temps

 

In September 2021, the highest daily temperature recorded was 95 degrees, which is 4 degrees lower than the highest recorded temp in August 2021. The lowest recorded temperature this month was 67 degrees, which 6 degrees lower than the lowest temp recorded in August 2021. Rainfall increased from last month by a very small amount to measure 4.9 inches and is below September’s average of 5.76 inches.

 

September is the peak of hurricane season, while the month was active with tropical storm and hurricane activity, Central Florida remained clear of named-storm activity. As a reminder, the Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30. It is best to remain vigilant and prepared in the event a late-season tropical storm or hurricane turns our way before the end of the season.

 

For September 2021 the average temperature was 83 degrees, which is one degree higher than the average temperature in September 2020. The average high temperature in September 2021 was 91 degrees, and the average low temperature was 74.

 

Although the average monthly temperature and average low and high temperatures have decreased slightly from August 2021, daily temperatures are still warm. Members may notice their energy usage for September 2021 will be similar to their usage from August 2021. Warm daily temperatures and Florida’s humidity mean HVACs will run for longer periods of time and more frequently to keep the temperatures cool inside. Daily temperature fluctuations also increase HVAC usage.

 

October forecast:

 

The October forecast shows a slight cool down in daily high temperatures to the high 80s and low 90s. Lows will be in the high 60s and low 70s. The rainy season is coming to a close, the best chance for rain is the possibility of scattered thunderstorms that bring lightning and wind during the first half of the month.

 

Take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes with SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection. Our meter-based surge arrester protects large appliances by reducing surges BEFORE they enter the meter. Learn more about the Surge MitiGator.

 

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.

 

August 2021 Sunshine State Stats

Hot summer temperatures continued in August 2021 as the highest daily temperature recorded was 99 degrees. The lowest recorded temperature for the month was 73 degrees. Rainfall decreased from last month to measure 4.8 and is below August’s average of 7.76 inches.

 

August 2021 Sunshine State Stats temps

 

During August’s 31 days, 24 of those reached a high temp of over 90 degrees. Because of the increased temperatures, members will likely notice an increase in their August electric usage.

 

For August 2021 the average temperature was 85 degrees, which is one degree higher than the average temperature in August 2020. The average high temperature in August 2021 was 93 degrees, and the average low temperature was 77.

 

Both the average monthly temperature and average low and high temperatures have increased from July 2021. Again, members will likely see an increase in their energy usage for August 2021. Hotter temperatures and increased humidity mean HVACs will run for longer periods of time and more frequently to keep the temperatures cool inside. Daily temperature fluctuations also increase HVAC usage.

 

September forecast:

 

September is the peak of hurricane season. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a tropical storm threat September 8 – 12. Daily highs will reach into the 90s with lows in the 70s with the chance of scattered thunderstorms that bring rain, lightning and wind during the middle of the month.

 

Take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes with SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection. Our meter-based surge arrester protects large appliances by reducing surges BEFORE they enter the meter. Learn more about the Surge MitiGator. In September, members enrolled in surge protection are entered in a drawing to win a portable generator each month. Enroll today for the chance to win!

 

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.

 

June 2021 Sunshine State Stats

Precipitation in June 2021 was higher than average leading to a soggy but hot month. The highest daily temperature measured in at 94 degrees, and the lowest temperature came in at 67 degrees. While June 1, 2021, is the official start of Atlantic hurricane season, our area was left unscathed by tropical storms or hurricanes this month (though Elsa changed that in early July).

 

June 2021 Sunshine State Stats temperatures

 

June was also the official start of summer and the hot temperatures and daily afternoon thunderstorms have arrived. High temps reached over 90 degrees 16 days this month. Members will likely notice an increase in their June electric usage due to the higher temperatures during the day that stretch into the evening.

 

For June 2021 the average temperature was 82 degrees, which was the same as the average temperature in June 2020. The average high temperature was 90 degrees, and the average low temperature was 73. Total precipitation this month measured 8.6 inches compared to 6.1 inches in June last year. The average rainfall in June is 6.13 inches.

 

Again, members will likely see an increase in their energy usage for June 2021. Both the average monthly temperature and average low and high temperatures have increased from May 2021. Both the average temperature and the average low temperature are 4 degrees, and the average high is up 2 degrees. Hotter temperatures mean HVACs will run for longer periods of time and more frequently to keep the temperatures cool inside. Daily temperature fluctuations also increase HVAC usage. The highest daily temperature fluctuation in June was 24 degrees.

 

July forecast:

 

Florida’s rainy season continues into September with almost daily thunderstorms that bring rain, lightning and wind. Daily highs will reach 90 degrees and above with lows in the 70s.

 

Take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes with SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator surge protection. Our meter-based surge arrester protects large appliances by reducing surges BEFORE they enter the meter. Learn more about the Surge MitiGator. In August and September, members enrolled in surge protection are entered in a drawing to win a portable generator each month. Enroll today for the chance to win!

 

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.