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SECO News December 2023

Wynn's WireDear 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 2024Employees 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

 

 


 

SECO News December 2023 Winter Energy Efficiency A Message From District 8 Trustee Bill James

 

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. 

HVAC MAINTENANCE TIPS

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

 


 

SECO News December 2023 Enroll in Paperless Billing and Bank Draft

 

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 News December 2023 AMI Systemwide AMI Update

 

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.

AMI Graphic

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.

   

AMI exchange notes

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.

SECO News, February 2021

 

Duncan’s Digest – Go Green and Win: Paperless Billing and Bank Draft

 

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative whose purpose is to provide exceptional service to our members, co-workers and communities. We are a unique business that promotes less use of our product rather than more – we’re your partner in saving energy and money.

 

May 2018 SECO News Duncan's Digest
Throughout the cooperative, we look for ways to reduce spending and waste while providing exceptional customer service to our 210,000+ members. We are adapting as technology changes as well. Surveys show that members want convenient billing and payment options (along with low rates and reliable service). Environmentally conscious members want to reduce paper waste and enjoy leisure time instead of writing checks and driving to the post office to buy stamps. Safety-minded folks don’t want the worry over the potential lack of security of mailing a paper check that contains an account number, routing number, address and signature. Mailbox thieves and porch pirates remain a threat despite the fact that they’re captured on video doorbells every day!

 

Currently, over 100,000 SECO accounts are enrolled in in our online account platform called SmartHub and nearly 50,000 of those are enrolled in eBill and have opted out of paper billing statements altogether. Members can view, manage and pay their bills through SmartHub. Enrolling in bank draft is another convenient way for members to pay bills directly from their bank account. SmartHub messenger provides advanced notification of amount due and draft date.

 

Paperless billing, bank draft and SmartHub account enrollments are green options that save money for the cooperative, too, and help us keep rates low. Per surveys, members who receive eBill are more satisfied with the email’s promptness and prefer it over waiting for the paper bill to print and mail.

 

Throughout 2021, members who partner with SECO to help reduce billing costs and paper waste will be eligible for a monthly drawing. Each month, three prizes will be awarded to lucky winners drawn from those enrolled in these billing options. Prizes include a $200 bill credit, a NEST thermostat and an Amazon Echo Dot with Alexa.

 

There are three criteria your account must meet to qualify for the monthly incentive:

 

Account is registered through SmartHub

 

Account is opted out of paper billing statements

 

Account is enrolled in automatic bank draft

 

If you have more than one account that meets these criteria, each account is eligible to be drawn as a monthly winner.

 

These enrollment options are available through SmartHub. SmartHub is also available as an app on your smartphone or tablet. Members who aren’t as tech savvy or do not have a smartphone or tablet can reach out to Member Services by phone for enrollment assistance. Read more about SmartHub’s features on page 4.

 

We’ll publish the winners’ names in our Winners’ Circle in the upcoming SECO News editions.

 

SECO’s five Member Service Centers are equipped with debit/credit card processing machines for walk-in transactions. These will help us begin to phase out our existing kiosks. These third-party kiosks are under-utilized, under perform and are no longer cost effective.

 

All of these incentives and changes are part of keeping costs low and using technology that offers you convenience and security. Thank you for considering new options.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 


 

SECO News February 2021 Old Farmer's Almanac

 

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

 

Happy Valentine’s Day! Celebrate your sweetheart all month long with these helpful ideas. Do you enjoy camping? The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends planning your honey’s camping trip on either February 6 or 7. If you like warmer weather, wait until March 5 or 6. Are you planning a trip with someone special? The best days to schedule a trip for pleasure are February 24 – 26 or March 24 and 25. Getting married? The best days ahead for a wedding are February 1 or 2 or March 1, 2, 28, or 29. Make your love happy by tackling your honey-do list. The best day to start a project is February 12 or March 14.

 


 

SECO News February 2021 Less Coins; Big Change Pennies From Heaven

 

Less Coins; Big Change: Pennies from Heaven

 

Starting February 1, our Member Service Centers ask members to help make a difference in local communities. As the coin shortage continues, Service Centers are no longer stocking coins to make change on a cash bill payment. We ask members who visit a Service Center and pay in cash to donate their spare change to SECO Energy’s Pennies from Heaven program.

 

Less coins in your pocket will create big change in the communities we serve. Last year, an unprecedented number of members reached out to United Way and other local service agencies for help. SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program responded by providing thousands of dollars for bill payment assistance and dollars to local food banks in our area.

 

Why wait to visit a Member Service Center to donate your spare change? Enroll in Pennies from Heaven today, and SECO will round up your monthly billing amount to the nearest dollar (no matter how you choose to pay your bill). The average donation is small, only about $6 per year, but your small change equals big help for local families. You can enroll online or click on the homepage banner.

 

To all the members who are current Pennies from Heaven enrollees or who have made a one-time donation, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Our CEO Jim Duncan supports the program, as do many SECO employees.

 

Thank you for your generosity!

 


 

SECO News July 2020 EV Charger Winner

 

EV Charger Winner

 

Mary Maloney from Clermont is the January winner of a SECO Energy branded JuiceBox Pro 40 EV Level 2 charger. We’re giving one charger away each month while supplies last. To enter, text “EV” to (352) 320-4500 for a link to enter. Or click on the EV Charger Giveaway homepage banner.

 

Learn more about the benefits of electric vehicle ownership on our EV website pages. You’ll find an EV savings calculator, information about CO2 reduction, an EV and PHEV model finder and a nationwide charger-finder map. Visit our Electric Vehicles page for more details.

 

Watch SECO News for next month’s charger winner.

 


 

SECO News February 2021 Account Access 24/7 With SmartHub

 

Account Access 24/7 with SmartHub

 

SmartHub is SECO Energy’s 24/7 account access and management platform. SmartHub is available as a user-friendly app for your smartphone or tablet or on your desktop computer or laptop. A SmartHub account registration is a criterion for winning the monthly incentive announced in this month’s Duncan’s Digest on page 1.

 

Register your SECO account with SmartHub for 24/7 access to these features:

 

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN: Enroll in SECO’s Pennies from Heaven program.

 

PREVIOUS STATEMENTS: Examine past consumption history and view previous billing statements.

 

NO WAITING TIME: View monthly billing statements faster (usually less than two business days) of meter reading and bill calculation.

 

UPDATE INFORMATION: You can change your mailing address (hi there, Snowbirds), add a new email address or update your phone number.

 

PAYMENT ARRANGEMENT*: Request a payment arrangement 24/7.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA: Click on the Facebook or Twitter icons for direct access to SECO’s social media feeds.

 

PAY YOUR MONTHLY BILL: SmartHub accepts debit/credit card or electronic – without the added expense of a convenience fee.

 

ACCESS STORMCENTER: Report outages 24/7, enroll in outage communications via email, text or voice and check the status of a current outage.

 

SET IT AND FORGET IT: Enroll in monthly bank draft from a checking or savings account of your choice.

 

GO GREEN: Suppress paper bills and reduce waste by receiving your statement via email. View the bottom of your eBill for a link to the current edition of SECO News.

New SmartHub Features:

 

PAY IN ADVANCE: Going out of town and need to schedule a payment? You can schedule a one-time advance payment in the amount you choose (up to $600) through SmartHub.

 

CLOSED ACCOUNT ACCESS: We’ve opened up SmartHub access for members who have closed/inactive accounts. View and pay a final bill or gain access to prior account history.

 

PAYMENT NOTIFICATIONS: Members who pay via SmartHub will now receive an immediate payment confirmation via email or text based on your SmartHub notification preference.

 

All these features are available for members with registered SmartHub accounts. Register your account at SmartHub today. Download the app on the Apple App Store or get it on Google Play.

 

*SmartHub can schedule payment arrangements for eligible accounts only.

 


 

SECO News February 2021 Smarthub Word Search

 

SmartHub Word Search

 

24/7 account access is available through our SmartHub online account manager. Have fun with our SmartHub word search and enroll your account today.

 

February 2021 word search

 


 

SECO News February 2021 Surgeo Loves Pets

 

Surgeo Loves Pets

 

February is the month of love, and Surgeo is asking for your help to aid domestic animal shelters and wildlife animal rescue organizations. Beginning February 1, for each new Surge MitiGator enrollment, SECO Energy will donate $5 to a local pet shelter that you designate in one of the four major counties we serve.

 

The Surge MitiGator takes the bite out of damaging surges and spikes caused by lightning, vehicles crashing into SECO poles, small animals, birds or fallen trees. Power surges can damage or destroy household appliances and sensitive electronics such as televisions, computers, stereo equipment and more.

 

SECO’s meter-based surge arrester helps prevent unnecessary financial loss by reducing 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.

 

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.

 

SECO’s Surgeo loves pets. Help him share the love by enrolling in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator to donate $5 to the pet shelter of your choice. To enroll, visit our Surge MitiGator page and click on the enroll icon to fill out the webform and choose which pet shelter will receive a $5 donation on your behalf from SECO. SURGEO THANKS YOU!

 


 

SECO News February 2021 Winners' Circle

 

Winners’ Circle

 

Have you engaged with our virtual assistant Electra who can answer thousands of calls without missing a beat? In December SECO News, we announced a new contest for members who ask Electra for assistance instead of waiting to speak with a representative. Each week, we’ll draw one winner who will receive a $25 gift card.

 

December’s winners are:

 

Bruce Cramer from The Villages

 

William Davner from Ocala

 

Brenda Jones from Ocala

 

Judith Pastula from Clermont

 

Josh Sittig from Bushnell

 

Read Winners’ Circle next month for more winners. Congratulations, winners!

 


 

SECO News February 2021 SECO Energy Celebrates 14 Years of Tree Line USA Recognition

 

SECO Energy Celebrates 14 Years of Tree Line USA Recognition

 

We are celebrating 14 years of being recognized as a Tree Line USA utility by the Arbor Day Foundation. Tree Line USA recognizes public and private utilities who take part in activities that protect and enhance America’s urban forests.

 

The Arbor Day Foundation inspires people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. There are five program standards that SECO Energy achieved to be recognized as a Tree Line USA utility. Utilities must follow industry standards for quality tree care; provide annual worker training in best tree care practices; sponsor a tree planting and education program; maintain a tree-based energy conservation program; and participate in an Arbor Day celebration.

 

Trees offer many benefits. Did you know that trees can save energy? According to the Arbor Day Foundation, trees that shade structures and block winds can help reduce your heating and cooling costs by as much as 35%.

 

Plant deciduous trees to the south, southwest or west side of buildings to provide shade from the summer sun and reduce cooling costs. Florida elm and hophornbeam are native trees that flourish in Central Florida. Plant trees to shade driveways, sidewalks, patios and air conditioning units.

 

Evergreen trees and shrubs planted on the north and west sides of buildings block winter winds and reduce heating costs. Plantings around the foundation can also help insulate against cold weather.

 

To learn more about how trees can reduce yearly energy costs, visit our Right Tree, Right Place page.

 

Read the full February 2021 SECO News online.