March was a very warm month for Central Florida. The average temperature was 74 degrees – 6.8 degrees warmer than the average March temperature. The lows dipped down to 43 degrees early in the month and later the high peaked at 92 degrees. This 49-degree temperature swing would have potentially called for both heating and cooling in the same month.
The average high temperature was 82 degrees in March 2020 compared to 77 degrees in 2019, while the average low temperature was 63 degrees in 2020 versus 56 degrees during March 2019.
Not only was it a warmer March than normal, it was also drier. March typically produces a little over 4 inches of precipitation, but 2020 provided less than a quarter of an inch.
March weather was far from the norm as was the entire month with multiple federal, state, and county executive orders closing stores, restaurants, beaches and amusement parks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the social distancing recommendations made by the CDC were implemented by businesses in the public and private sector. This will have an impact on electric use due to families being home more throughout the day.
To help keep costs down, SECO Energy recommends keeping your air conditioning thermostat at 78-80 degrees during the day when home and raising the thermostat 2-3 degrees when leaving for four hours or longer. The warmer temperatures in March will most likely cause an increase in consumption compared to previous March bills. If you haven’t already, consider scheduling your annual HVAC service to ensure the air conditioner is in prime operating condition heading into the warmer months.
April 2020 forecast:
April temperatures normally average 71.1 degrees with precipitation averaging just over half of an inch for the month. Will we continue this warmer than average trend for the month of April? We will see. Until then, have a wonderful and blessed April!
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.
The reliability of the SECO Energy electric system plays a critical role in SECO members’ health and wellbeing. To keep SECO employees healthy and ready to serve its members and in light of the current economic environment, the cooperative has made changes to policies and procedures. For SECO, COVID-19 is a storm – a storm that shall pass – and a storm during which the cooperative applies flexibility, understanding and protection for its members.
The not-for-profit cooperative has extended payment arrangement timeframes over and above normal parameters. SECO is also proactively waiving late payment fees. The cooperative continues to apply flexibility and convenient/automated processes to request payment arrangements during the COVID-19 situation. Members requesting a payment arrangement can do so 24/7 by talking to SECO’s virtual assistant on the automated phone system or by logging into SmartHub. Both platforms have been programmed to automatically allow additional time for payment arrangements. Members are encouraged to use the virtual assistant and SmartHub as call volume has been high amid COVID-19 concerns. Eligibility for a payment arrangement has been expanded significantly and talking directly to a member services representative is typically not required.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a ‘stay-at-home’ executive order for the state beginning April 3. SECO understands this order may create unprecedented hardships that affect members in its service area. In response, SECO has extended the activation of its Emergency Response Plan (ERP) until further notice and has expanded the payment arrangement and late fee flexibility described above. As a distribution cooperative, SECO provides electricity which is an essential service. The reliability of this service is supported by every SECO employee – thus, all employees are essential.
SECO’s five Member Service Centers are closed to walk-ins but drive-thru facilities remain open. The cooperative offers members 12 ways to pay bills, most that avoid face-to-face contact. Members can pay online, by phone, by mail, enroll in bank draft and more. SECO’s online account platform called SmartHub is the place to start for convenient self-serve options. Log in or create an account profile today. View past bills, usage history, request a payment arrangement and more.
As part of the Emergency Response Plan, SECO Energy’s Sumterville headquarters and adjacent campus are temporarily closed to public access for any vendor or delivery without an approved appointment or scheduled delivery. SECO field personnel are practicing the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended social distancing standard of maintaining a six-foot barrier with members. Employees and members are asked to use email, phone and web conferencing communication in lieu of in-person meetings whenever possible and to practice social distancing when in-person meetings are unavoidable.
CEO Jim Duncan stated, “For SECO, COVID-19 is a storm – a storm that shall pass – and a storm during which the cooperative applies flexibility, understanding and protection for its members. Our service is essential in preserving public health and quality of life in today’s world. The cooperative’s Emergency Response Plan ensures it can maintain a 24/7 workforce, preserve SECO’s ability to maintain its electric system and provide an acceptable level of member service even in the face of employee impact with COVID-19. Our members depend on us to provide reliable electric service, and that’s even more important as our largely senior demographic practices social distancing at home to remain healthy.”
SECO has other ways to help members in need through a corporate citizenship initiative called Pennies from Heaven. The program helps fund local United Way chapters managed through Florida 211 for bill payment assistance for SECO members. Members who need assistance with utilities, food, and other household expenses are encouraged to contact 211.
“Like” SECO on Facebook and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
The reliability of SECO’s electric service plays a critical role in SECO members’ health and wellbeing. To keep its employees healthy and ready to serve its members, the cooperative has made changes to mitigate health risks related to member and public interaction.
In response to the COVID-19 situation and a need to reallocate resources to call center operations, SECO Energy is temporarily closing its walk-in services at its five Member Service Centers effective 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 24. Each location is equipped with a drive-thru that will remain open and an outside automated kiosk is also available at each location for bill payment 24/7. The drive-thrus in Eustis, Inverness, Ocala and Sumterville will operate 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The drive-thru in Groveland is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The cooperative offers members 12 ways to pay bills, most that avoid face-to-face contact. Members can pay online, by phone, by mail, enroll in bank draft and more. SECO’s online account platform called SmartHub is the place to start for convenient self-serve options. Log in or create an account profile today. View past bills, usage history, request a payment arrangement and more.
During SECO’s Emergency Response Plan activation, it is offering members who request a payment arrangement an extended period of time over and above normal payment arrangement parameters. Members requesting a payment arrangement can do so by visiting with SECO’s virtual assistant on the automated telephone system or by logging into SmartHub at SECOEnergy.com. Both platforms have been programmed to automatically allow additional time for payment arrangements. Members are encouraged to utilize the phone system and SmartHub as call volume has been high amid COVID-19 concerns.
SECO Energy’s Sumterville headquarters and adjacent campus remain closed to public access for any vendor or delivery without an approved appointment or scheduled delivery. SECO field personnel are practicing the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended social distancing standard of maintaining a six-foot barrier with members. Employees and members are asked to use email, phone and web conferencing communication in lieu of in-person meetings whenever possible and to practice social distancing when in-person meetings are unavoidable.
CEO Jim Duncan stated, “In order to adhere to the CDC’s social distancing guidelines, SECO has opted to temporarily discontinue its walk-in services at our Member Service Center locations. This additional step will help reduce member and employee contact which is necessary to ensure a healthy workforce needed to provide reliable electric service to our members. Drive-thru windows and kiosks remain available.”
Duncan continued, “SECO offers members 12 ways to pay monthly bills. Members can continue to practice social distancing and pay bills online through SmartHub, by phone or enroll in bank draft. We have proactively waived late payment fees, and have automatically extended the time period for payment arrangements so that members can use both SmartHub and the virtual phone assistant as hold times are longer due to COVID-19 concerns.”
SECO has other ways to help members in need through a corporate citizenship initiative called Pennies from Heaven. The program helps fund local United Way chapters managed through Florida 211 for bill payment assistance for SECO members. Members who need assistance with utilities, food, and other household expenses are encouraged to contact 211.
“Like” SECO’s page on Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.
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.
Cooler temperatures arrived in Central Florida in November 2019. The monthly average temperature was a comfortable 67 degrees – which was the same average temperature in November 2018. The highest daily recorded temperature was 90 degrees and the lowest daily recorded temperature was 46 degrees. That’s a big fluctuation between hot and cold so both heating and cooling units likely ran in November.
November 2019’s average high temperature was 78 degrees with an average low temperature of 57 degrees. In November 2018, the average high temperature was 77 degrees while the average low temperature was 58 degrees.
Parts of the U.S. experienced record-breaking cold temperatures. Locally, we enjoyed 17 days of high temperatures over 80 degrees in November 2019. Rainfall for the month was 1.18 inches, which was down slightly from November 2018’s total of 2.21 inches.
The arctic fronts that arrived in Florida during November 2019 brought some very cold early morning temperatures. Members who turned on the heat during these temperature drops can expect to see an increase in energy consumption on their November billing statement. ENERGY STAR recommends setting your heat to no higher than 68 degrees during the winter months.
With the cooling temperatures, now is a good time to schedule an HVAC technician to service your unit. A well-maintained unit runs more efficiently and helps lower your energy usage. Read more about HVAC service and maintenance in November SECO News.
December 2019 forecast:
December 2019 is forecast for an average high of 72 degrees and an average low over 52 degrees with seven or eight days dropping into the 40s. Precipitation levels are forecast to be low with the best chance for rain at the beginning 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.
September 2019 gave Floridians a small glimpse of fall weather with temperatures that were a little cooler than September 2018. The average high temperature in September 2019 was 90 degrees compared to an average high temperature of 92 degrees in September 2018. Hurricane Dorian’s near visit to our area increased rainfall in September 2019 to 3.56” compared to 2.61” last September.
The average low temperature was 74 degrees, which was a little lower than the average low temperature of 76 degrees in September 2018. The maximum temperature for both September 2019 and 2018 was 95 degrees and the minimum temperature for September 2019 was a cool 67 degrees compared to 73 degrees for September 2018.
There were 516 cooling degree days and 0 heating degree days for September 2019, while last year there were 519 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 degrees. 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.
October forecast:
October 2019 is forecast for an average high of 84 degrees which is three degrees cooler than last year’s average high. Rainfall is forecast to be similar this October to the precipitation amount in October 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.
DO I HAVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER? In early July, the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project updated its 2019 Atlantic hurricane season forecast. CSU predicts six major hurricanes will develop before the end of the season. A major hurricane is categorized as a CAT 3, 4 or 5.
Peak hurricane season is typically in September. Are you ready? Does SECO have the ability to contact you? Have you updated your seldom-used landline number to your cell phone number if you use it primarily? If you call us during peak volume and the phone number doesn’t match an account, your service options may be limited.
How do you update or verify your contact information for account/billing purposes? The easiest way is to visit our homepage and log into SmartHub. Choose “My Profile” then “Update My Billing Address & Contact Information.” Make any necessary changes and choose “Save.” Or, you can email Customer Service. Include name, account number, service address, the last four of the member’s SSN and the updated contact information. You can also call us at (352) 793-3801 or contact us through Facebook private message or Twitter direct message.
Our StormCenter and outage notifications system houses separate contact information that conducts outbound, proactive communications and must be updated as well. Did you know StormCenter will send you an email, or voice message when an outage is detected at your service address? StormCenter will also notify you when the outage is restored as well as cause.
Members have expressed appreciation for the enhanced communications when we are working in your area. Using the StormCenter communications system, SECO notifies you of pre-planned outages, upgrades, tree trimming and system improvement projects scheduled to occur in your neighborhood.
To check your communications preferences, gather a recent bill to find your account number and zip code – you will need both. Then visit SECO Energy and choose StormCenter on the top menu. On the StormCenter page, select “Manage Notifications,” input your account number and zip code or the phone number on file and zip code associated with the account.
Determine your preferred notification whether its email, text or voice message or a combination, add the phone number or contact email. Set “do not disturb” times during the hours you don’t want to be notified. Select notifications for each account if you have multiple accounts.
As an incentive, view or update your contact information on both SmartHub and StormCenter and be entered twice into a drawing to win a $300 bill credit. If you don’t have online access, just call us or note your primary phone number on your payment coupon when paying your bill.
Good luck! The timeframe for the $300 SECO bill credit drawing runs to September 15. We’ll draw a winner on September 16. Stay in touch with SECO and update your contact information today.
Sincerely,
Jim Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
Paying your bill has never been easier! Whether it’s online, by phone or in person, SECO Energy offers 12 convenient ways to pay – most without convenience fees.
PAY ONLINE AT SMARTHUB – View and pay your bill, sign up for bank draft, enroll in eBill and compare energy usage by month or year.
PAY BY BANK DRAFT – Simplify your life – draft your monthly bill amount from a bank account of your choice. Register for bank draft with SmartHub.
PAY IN PERSON – Member Service Centers are located in Eustis, Groveland, Sumterville, Ocala and Inverness with walk-in and drive-thru facilities.
PAY AT A KIOSK – Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at all Member Service Centers. Kiosks accept cash and most credit cards.
PAY BY PHONE – 1-(877) 371-9382, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, debit card or electronic check.
PAY NOW – Pay instantly with just your account number and form of payment through SmartHub – no registration required.
PAY BY MAIL – SECO Energy (Dept # 3035), PO Box 850001, Orlando, FL 32885-3035
MYWAY PREPAY – Pay for energy before you use it with MyWay PrePay. View daily usage and receive phone or text notifications.
FIDELITY EXPRESS – Locations accept cash, check or money orders. $1.50 processing fee. Not recommended for MyWay PrePay members.
MONEYGRAM – Available at many convenient retail locations. MoneyGram is available for MyWay PrePay enrolled members. $1.50 processing fee.
WESTERN UNION – In-person payments received in real time. Convenience fee is $1.50. Maximum amount per transaction is $1,000.
BUDGET BILLING – Levels out bills by averaging most recent 12 months usage. Debit/credit balances accumulate based on seasonal usage.
StormCenter is available on your smartphone or tablet 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bookmark your address on the outage map, view the weather radar, find crew status, outage cause and estimated restoration time. Report a new outage, check the status of an existing outage, manage your communication preferences (email, text or voice message), report an area light outage or contact us.
MARK BOWLING – T&D LINE SUPERVISOR/ACTING DISTRIBUTION SUPERINTENDENT
LENGTH OF SERVICE – 30 YEARS
“WE LOVE OUR PEOPLE.” SECO Champion Mark Bowling is a T&D Line Supervisor who is currently serving on a rotational assignment as a Distribution Superintendent in the Groveland office. In his Supervisor role, Mark oversees the field crews that respond to outages, construct line and complete work requests in south Lake County. Mark’s family members are life-long residents of Lake County, and he is proud that his children attend the same schools he did growing up. The family enjoys football and baseball games and his children play school sports. Living in Lake County, Mark’s restoration work after the deadly 2007 Groundhog Day tornadoes was especially emotional. He remembers consoling SECO members whose homes were blown away by the destructive tornadoes. Mark describes his crew as “a good group of guys who are dedicated to SECO Energy, the community and safety.”
CALLING ALL CREATIVE KIDDOS – Enter the SECO Energy Kids’ Calendar Coloring Contest. We are looking for 13 creative, colorful drawings depicting Electrical Safety or Energy Efficiency in a fun way to publish in our 2020 SECO Energy Calendar! The 13 chosen artists will have their artwork, photo and name published in next year’s calendar. Even better, the winners will each receive a $100 prize. The artwork submission form is available online look for Calendar Coloring Contest on our Contact Us page. Print the submission form and include it with the artwork. Mail submissions to: SECO Energy P.O. Box 301 Sumterville, FL 33585-0301 or drop it off at one of our five Member Service Centers.
To be eligible, the child must be between the ages of 5 and 12 and live in a home served by SECO Energy. Artwork submissions must be received by September 30, 2019.
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.
March 2019 was slightly warmer than March 2018. The average high temperature was 77 – one degree hotter than last year. Rainfall for March of 2019 was 0.12 inches compared to last March at 2.03 inches.
Based on data from the Leesburg weather station, April’s average high will heat up to the mid 80s, and the average historical low is 58 degrees. This variance could mean toggling between cooling your home in the day and heating it at night as temperatures drop. 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.
April rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2018. Warmer weather is right around the corner, so remember that every degree above 78 degrees on your thermostat will save you 6%-8% on your cooling costs.
If you’re interested in the HDDs and CDDs, there were 108 cooling degree days and 62 heating degree days for March 2019, while last year there were 84 cooling degree days with 67 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.
** Past weather data sourced from Leesburg Airport weather station.
