SECO News December 2023

Dear Members,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This month, I want to acknowledge our group of generous SECO Energy employees who support our yearly United Way corporate giving effort. These community-minded folks are a testament to how collaborative giving has far-reaching effects in our service area.

Each year, SECO Energy employees participate in our annual United Way Employee Giving Campaign; this is a cause many of our employees truly believe in. United Way is on a mission to improve lives and strengthen communities. Hundreds of SECO employees pledged a portion of their 2024 earnings to local United Ways – this is giving that lasts long after the Christmas season.

Local United Ways will benefit from SECO Energy employees’ pledges of $37,164 through the employee-led 2024 United Way Pledge Drive. Our employees have been actively supporting United Way for decades. During that time, employees have pledged over $1,120,000 to aid local families through the United Way.

SECO Energy employees choose the county and the program their donated dollars will benefit. Most of our employees live in Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties, and those counties received the highest dollar amounts in donations.

United Way Pledges 2024 Employees also deliver Christmas magic by filling Santa’s sleigh through our corporate Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots donation drive. Starting in November, employees and members donated new, unwrapped toys for the drive. All toys donated are dispersed in the local area where they were collected.

Retired Marines and other volunteers pick up donations in early December to distribute to children in need in time for the holidays. Those who want to register to receive toys donated through Toys for Tots can visit ToysforTots.org > Request a Toy.

SECO Energy is a proud sponsor of Toys for Tots as well. To support our employees’ giving, SECO Energy donated $2,500 to Toys for Tots to further assist our local communities.

From the SECO Energy family to yours, we wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Best regards,

Curtis Wynn
Chief Executive Officer

Winter temperatures are heading to Central Florida soon. During colder months, many households experience increased energy consumption due to holiday decorations, out-of-town guests, and cooking for family and friends. We have cold-weather energy-efficiency tips to help you reduce energy consumption. 

Upgrade to LEDs (light emitting diode) for holiday decorating and inside your home. LEDs use significantly less electricity than even small incandescent lights, generate little heat, have a longer lifespan and come in various colors and styles. 

For cooking, use small appliances, when possible, instead of your oven. Crockpots, Instant Pots, air fryers and toaster ovens use less energy and generate less heat. In Florida, grilling season is almost year-round; you can fire up the grill to reduce energy use, too. 

When the colder winter air moves in, turn your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower to reduce energy consumption. 68ºF is the optimal temperature for home heating per Energy.gov. To combat the cold, wear socks and sweaters and use an extra blanket.

Invest in a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi-enabled devices controlled with your smartphone, tablet, smart speaker or other device connected to the Internet. Installing a smart thermostat allows you to schedule your home’s temperatures for comfort. Some units learn your habits and preferences. Smart thermostats will provide you with data on your home’s energy use and other features.

Schedule an HVAC tune-up before cold temps set in. Your HVAC requires maintenance to operate efficiently and extend its lifespan. It is a small price to pay for peace of mind. This is a job best left for HVAC professionals to complete. THERMOSTAT SETTING IDEA

Enrolling in paperless billing with SECO Energy has benefits that go beyond just saving paper – it is a smart and eco-friendly choice that can simplify your life in many ways.

Unlike traditional paper bills that can take days to arrive in your mailbox, eBills are delivered to your email inbox instantly. You’ll get timely access to important billing information, making it easier to manage your account.

Going paperless minimizes the risk of misdirected mail delivery, which can sometimes lead to your bills ending up in the wrong hands. Moreover, it reduces the potential for identity theft, as your bill is delivered securely to your email address, which is under your control.

SECO Energy makes it even more convenient by offering a bank draft method for payments, which will ensure you never miss a due date. No more writing checks, buying stamps, or worrying about your payment getting lost in the mail. With paperless billing, your payments are hassle-free and always on time.

Enrolling in both paperless billing and bank draft helps you avoid missed bill payments, late fees and possible disruptions in your services. With eBills, your account information is accessible from anywhere with an Internet connection, so you can stay on top of your financial obligations even when you are away. Your eBill includes a link to our monthly SECO News, which you can read online and further reduce paper waste.

Enrolling in paperless billing and bank draft with SECO Energy is a win-win. You save time, enhance security, reduce your environmental footprint, and simplify your account management. Visit SECOEnergy.com > My Account > 12 Ways to Pay to log in or establish a SmartHub account. With SmartHub you can view your bill, enroll in paperless billing or bank draft, compare your monthly usage history and more.

SECO Energy’s systemwide AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) metering project launched in 2023. Honeywell, our approved contractor, has worked diligently in the eastern portion of our service area to meet our goal of exchanging 60,000 meters by the end of the year. Full deployment of almost 240,000 AMI meters will take three to four years to complete.

Accounts with an AMI meter can review detailed usage data and other energy-saving tools. The Honeywell meter is highly accurate and offers many benefits to members and new energy-saving features through SmartHub. The meter communicates with SECO Energy to reduce the costs of monthly meter readings and supplies members with 15-minute reading interval data.

AMI meters use an algorithm of your usage data to estimate how much energy your home’s appliances use based on the interval readings to help you identify potential energy wasters in your home. If there’s an HVAC, water heater or other large energy-use device malfunction, you’ll know sooner rather than later. The meter can’t view your actual in-home behavior. Its software assesses your home’s load profile and estimates usage of items that use electricity based on average consumer usage and behavior.

Once the AMI meter at your location has been installed, data integration with SmartHub may take up to 60 days. To view your 15-minute interval usage data, compare historical usage, set usage alerts, schedule a payment, and more, make sure you’re enrolled in SmartHub at SECOEnergy.com.

To learn more about our AMI project, visit SECOEnergy.com > My Account > AMI, where you can review our previous communications in SECO News, search for your address on the AMI deployment map and read frequently asked questions.

Read the full December 2023 SECO News.

September 2022 Sunshine State Stats

Hurricane Ian blazed through Central Florida between Wednesday, September 28, and Thursday, September 29, bringing large amounts of rainfall, high winds and fall temperatures. The average temperature for the month was 81 degrees, which was 3 degrees lower than last month’s average. The average high was 88 degrees while the average low was 73 degrees.

The highest daily recorded temperature (data from the Leesburg KLEE weather station) in September was 95 degrees and the lowest 63 – the highest daily recorded temperature in August 2022 was 96 degrees and the lowest was 72. Rainfall was above average in September. The total precipitation for the month was 7.25 inches, well above the September average rainfall of 5.76 inches.

Daily high temperatures soared over 90 degrees 16 days in September. Hurricane Ian brought a slight cooldown to daily temperatures toward the end of the month. Expect daily highs to reach near 90 degrees into October.

Before September, the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season was mostly inactive. Hurricane Ian made landfall as a strong Category 4 hurricane on Florida’s west coast. It traveled slowly through southwest and central Florida before exiting into the Atlantic and making another landfall in South Carolina. Hurricane Ian was deadly and caused power outages for millions in the southeast United States. At its peak, SECO Energy had just over 11,000 accounts without electric service overnight on the 28th and 29th. All accounts were restored by late on Friday, September 30. It only takes one powerful storm to damage electric transmission and distribution infrastructure causing widespread power outages.

Have a plan in place for hurricane season. Don’t wait until a storm is approaching to prepare. Essential supplies such as water, gasoline, bread and other non-perishable food sell out quickly. Read our Hurricane Handbook to learn more about what to do before, during and after a tropical storm or hurricane.

October forecast:

Expect daily high temperatures to reach into the high to mid 80s during October 2022. Be alert for late-season tropical storm and hurricane activity heading toward Central Florida. Central Florida’s rainy season is winding down, expect less rain and thunderstorms during the month.

HVAC use may be starting to decrease with cooler daily and evening temperatures. For Floridians, HVAC use is a longer span (typically early spring to late fall) than in other parts of the country and runs more frequently. It is likely the highest energy user in your home. Before winter temperatures set in, schedule an HVAC tune up with a qualified technician.

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, June 2019

DUNCAN’S DIGEST

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.

Read the full June 2019 SECO News online.

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.

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.

To 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 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.

Safety Corner

Size Matters—Selecting a Generator

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

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

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Archive

Tag: HVAC tune-up

SECO News December 2023

September 2022 Sunshine State Stats

SECO News, June 2019

DUNCAN’S DIGEST

HVAC TUNE-UP AND FILTER CHANGE

POWER LINE SAFETY

RELAY FOR LIFE – 6TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

SECO News, April 2018

Duncan’s Digest

2017 Annual Report

HVAC Tune-up Time

Safety Corner

Size Matters—Selecting a Generator

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NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

CONTACT US

Search our website

CONNECT WITH US