SECO News December 2024

DEAR MEMBERS,

I want to end the year by thanking you for your SECO Energy membership. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, SECO Energy received thousands of phone calls, emails, letters, and social media comments expressing your unwavering support as we underwent a massive restoration effort. The SECO team is grateful for your patience and encouragement. I also want to thank the over 1,200 line and tree contractor crews, and food and service workers from across the nation who traveled to SECO to support one of the most extensive power restoration efforts in our history.

This year also marked several key milestones. We announced SECO Energy’s Expansion and Improvement Plan, launched the SECO Smart Connect Program that rewards members for saving energy, and made significant progress in our systemwide upgrade to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). We increased the capacity at several substations to meet the growing demands of new residential and commercial developments, and began transitioning area lighting to LED fixtures for improved efficiency.

Furthermore, we advanced our mission to support rural communities through engagement at the White House’s Rural Communities in Action Event and by collaborating with officials and key community leaders to address local needs. We achieved a lot this year, and despite challenges that came our way, the resilience of SECO Energy employees shone brightly and demonstrated the dedication that defines who we are as a cooperative.

As we look to the future, we anticipate the demand for safe, reliable, affordable electric service will continue growing. We also want to continue our efforts to engage with you – our valued members – through our innovative energy services offerings. The entire SECO Energy team will continue to explore new ways to support and meet member needs right here in Central Florida.

From the SECO Energy family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

CURTIS WYNN

Chief Executive Officer

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems work best when serviced regularly (one to two times yearly) by a certified HVAC professional.

Don’t walk on thin ice waiting until unusual sounds are coming from the HVAC system, musty or burning-smelling odors, poor airflow in certain rooms, or high spikes in energy usage – schedule a service call and beat the rush before any cold snaps. Regular maintenance will help you feel comfortable at home and improve your HVAC system’s efficiency and longevity.

SECO Energy recommends setting your heating temperature between 68°F and 70°F. Why? When temperatures drop, the wider the difference between the outdoor temperature and the temperature in your home, the more energy your HVAC system will use to maintain the set temperature. This is why heating and cooling costs increase during cold and hot seasons.

Ensure your air vents or heating elements (like radiators) can adequately heat your home and aren’t blocked by furniture or rugs. Seal windows and exterior doors with caulk and weather stripping to help keep warm air in and cold air out. Open window blinds and curtains to let natural sunlight warm your home during the day and close them at night to block the chilly night air.

Increasing the heating temperature causes your HVAC to run longer, which will increase energy costs. Now is a good time to invest in a Wi-Fi-connected smart thermostat – use the programmable energy-efficiency settings to save energy and reduce your monthly bill. Finally, visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > Smart Connect Program to find out which Wi-Fi-connected thermostats are eligible to participate and how to earn incentives.

IT PAYS TO SAVE with the SECO Smart Connect Program! Click this link to learn more and enroll.

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, there are an estimated 860 home fires each year caused by holiday decorations and another 210 home fires caused by Christmas trees. Safe decorations are the best decorations to keep you on the nice list and off the naughty list this year.

TIPS TO HELP YOU DECK THE HALLS SAFELY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON:

Keep decorations at least 3 ft. away from open flames and heat sources.
Inspect all decorations for frayed or pinched wires and replace any that are worn or damaged.
Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many lights or appliances.
Refrain from connecting multiple extension cords or running them under rugs, carpets, or furniture.
If you have a natural Christmas tree, water it daily and discard it when it becomes dry or starts shedding needles.
Test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and make sure they have fresh batteries.
Turn off all electrical decorations before leaving the house or going to bed.

Remember to enjoy the holiday season without adding decorations to SECO Energy poles. Decorative poles are not rated to withstand the added weight of decorations and holiday lights. It is extremely unsafe to nail or tack signs or decorations to wood poles; sharp objects can pierce our crews’ personal protective equipment and their skin. Poles are also not safe to use as a ladder stabilizer.

Santa always checks his list twice before Christmas, so make sure you’re following these tips to stay on Santa’s nice list and enjoy a festive and safe holiday season.

Source: Electrical Safety Foundation

Did you know SECO Energy offers 12 ways to pay your bill? Most payment options are available with no convenience fee.

Here are the top 5 most popular options:

1. SmartHub

Use SmartHub to pay your bill, view account history, set up hassle-free ongoing payments with bank draft, enroll in eBill to reduce clutter, and monitor your home’s energy usage. You can also make instant payments without registering your account.

2. Bank draft

Simplify your life; have your monthly SECO Energy bill drafted from a bank account of your choice. There is no fee to participate in bank draft, no stamps to buy, and no waiting on mail time. Bank draft is the most secure and convenient payment option.

3. Pay By Phone

Call 1 (877) 371-9382 to pay 24/7 using a card or electronic check. Note that the phone number to Pay By Phone will change to 1 (855) 938-3432 on January 27, 2025.

4. Pay In Person

For drive-thru and kiosk payments, visit Member Service Centers in Eustis, Groveland, Inverness, Ocala, or Sumterville.

5. By Mail

Send payments to SECO Energy, P.O. Box 70997, Charlotte, NC 28272-0997.

Third-Party Payment Warning: SmartHub is SECO Energy’s only authorized online bill payment system to avoid potential delays, fees, or service disruption. If you are unsure about payment services, contact SECO Energy at (352) 793-3801.

Notice to Update Records:
Effective January 27, 2025, SECO Energy’s Pay By Phone number is changing to 1 (855) 938-3432, and members can no longer make payments by calling the former number.

Read the full December SECO News.

SECO News January 2024

Dear Members,

SECO Energy has been your local, trusted electric service provider for 85 years. We are an award-winning, not-for-profit electric cooperative that is growing, changing, and striving to be your cooperative of the future.

In January 2023, I unveiled our updated Mission, Vision and Core Values and a clear, focused strategic direction through our Strategy Map. Throughout the past year, we have focused on the fundamental objectives in our Strategy Map to build a solid foundation for success.

One foundational technology currently underway is our systemwide automated metering infrastructure (AMI) project. Members with an AMI meter installed already see the benefit of this cutting-edge technology. AMI meters collect usage data in 15-minute intervals and break down the patterns recorded by common appliances and electronics to provide a comprehensive snapshot of your household’s usage. With AMI meters, SECO can assist you with more innovative and energy-efficient services that reduce costs in the long run.

With the adoption of AMI, we can expand demand response programs that will provide wholesale power cost reductions and lower your bills. Demand response programs put you in control of the amount of energy you use and when you use it. We are exploring several bring-your-own-device programs for smart thermostats, smart water heaters, electric vehicles and chargers, and whole-home generators.

Many of these are already owned by you, and programs featuring these devices are the key to reducing your energy bill.

Another project of note is transitioning older, high-pressure sodium area lighting (HPS) fixtures to LED (light-emitting diode) area and street lighting. LED area lighting is a newer technology that is more energy efficient. LEDs use less energy, are more reliable, use less heat, and many fixture types are DarkSky friendly. The SECO team is devising a plan to fully transition to LED lighting in the future as the availability of HPS fixtures is scarce.

Our focus remains on our core business and meeting the increasing demand for reliable, affordable, and safe energy in our area. These proposed innovative energy services will enable SECO to maintain competitive rates and member satisfaction.

Review our Strategy Map online at SECOEnergy. com > Your Co-op > Strategy Map. Happy New Year from the SECO family to yours. Best regards,

Best regards,

Curtis Wynn
Chief Executive Officer

SECO Energy is excited to offer members an exclusive opportunity to enhance the electric vehicle (EV) charging experience! Upgrade from a Level 1 Charger to our top-of-the-line ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 Fast Charger and unlock a world of convenience and efficiency for your EV.

WHY UPGRADE TO A LEVEL 2 FAST CHARGER?

SPEED AND EFFICIENCY: The ChargePoint Level 2 Fast Charger is designed to significantly reduce charging time compared to Level 1 Chargers. With its 240-volt power supply, charging is faster, ensuring your EV is ready to hit the road quickly.
CONVENIENT HOME CHARGING: Imagine the convenience of charging your EV overnight in the comfort of your home. No trips to public charging stations – plug in and wake up to a fully charged vehicle. Plus, you can take advantage of SECO’s Super Off-Peak EV Charging Incentive!
AFFORDABLE LEASING OPTIONS: Make a sustainable choice without breaking the bank. Lease the ChargePoint Level 2 Fast Charger for just $14.50 monthly plus tax.
OWNERSHIP BENEFITS: If you prefer to own your charging solution, you can purchase the ChargePoint Level 2 Fast Charger for only $699 plus tax. It’s a one-time investment that pays off in the long run, offering you the convenience of home charging for years to come.

We’re waiving the $50 installation fee for a limited time. Contact a licensed electrician to assess your breaker panel capacity and installation of the 240-volt outlet and NEMA 14 50-amp receptacle. We’ll install the charger and offer technical assistance.

SUPER OFF-PEAK CHARGING INCENTIVE

Do you already own an EV? Sign up for SECO’s Super Off-Peak Charging Incentive. Charge your all-electric EV during Super Off-Peak hours (12 a.m. to 6 a.m.) and be rewarded with a $7 monthly incentive.

Take advantage of the chance to elevate your EV charging experience with a Level 2 EV Charger and Super Off-Peak Incentive from SECO Energy. Complete the web form to get started today!

DEAR MEMBERS,

SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees is a nine-member board comprised of your fellow SECO members. As Trustees, it is our responsibility to establish, review, and revise corporate policies that preserve the foundations of our not-for-profit electric cooperative. We work to ensure that SECO continues to maintain reliable, affordable service for all members.

What sets SECO apart is that the cooperative is owned by the members it serves; there are no shareholders or outside investors. Established as Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. in 1938, we are now d/b/a SECO Energy with a Mission to provide reliable and innovative energy services to our almost 240,000 homes and businesses in our service area.

SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees has invested extensive time and resources to complete continuing education programs offered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) that help Trustees better understand the energy industry. NRECA’s programs are tailored specifically for cooperative Trustees, providing a comprehensive curriculum to enhance their expertise.

Each member of SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees has participated in the NRECA’s continuing education program and earned the prestigious Director Gold Credential (DGC). A Director Gold Credential signifies the highest level of commitment to continuing education, requiring participants to complete 19 credits earned through courses that mirror college-level rigor. Each credit requires a minimum of eight hours of coursework.

Our Trustees’ commitment is further highlighted by the exclusivity of their accomplishments.

Among the over 832 electric distribution cooperatives in the U.S., SECO stands out as one of the select few, with 100% of its Board achieving Director Gold status. This accolade places SECO’s Trustees in a truly elite category, showcasing their dedication to advancing their knowledge and skills.

Once earned, Trustees must re-certify as Director Gold every two years. This re-certification includes completing three study credits that ensure participants maintain their industry knowledge. This commitment to ongoing education underscores SECO’s dedication to having a Board equipped with the latest insights in the ever-evolving electric utility landscape.

The electric utility industry is complex; it faces challenges, threats, and opportunities. Your Board of Trustees is well-equipped to steer the cooperative through these complexities, ensuring a bright outlook for SECO Energy, its members, and communities.

As president of SECO’s Board of Trustees, I am extremely proud of the accomplishment of the entire Board in achieving the highest level of education – Director Gold.

Sincerely,

GERALD ANDERSON

BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT

As your trusted electric cooperative, we prioritize your safety and well-being. Recently, there has been a rise in energy fraud targeting consumers, and we want to ensure that you are well informed and protected. Keep these crucial warnings in mind:

BEWARE OF UNSOLICITED CALLS: Scammers may pose as utility workers, making unsolicited calls claiming your account is overdue and threatening immediate disconnection if payment is not made. SECO will never demand immediate payment over the phone or threaten disconnection without prior written notice.
PHISHING EMAILS AND TEXTS: Be cautious of emails or text messages requesting personal or financial information. Always verify the sender’s authenticity before clicking on any links. SECO communicates official information through our account management platform, SmartHub, and will never ask for sensitive information via email or text.
DOOR-TO-DOOR SCAMS: Scammers may appear at your doorstep, claiming to be SECO employees and requesting payment. Authentic SECO representatives carry proper identification and will not demand on-the-spot payments. If in doubt, call our Member Services team to verify the person’s identity.
FAKE UTILITY APPS: SmartHub is SECO Energy’s approved online account manager. Scammers may create fake apps to gain access to your personal information. Enroll in SmartHub to check your balance, pay your monthly bill, enroll in bank draft, and more; visit SECOEnergy.com > My Account > 12 Ways to Pay.
WAYS TO PAY: SECO does not accept PayPay, Zelle, Cash App, Venmo or gift cards for payment. Enrolling in bank draft, with a paperless bill, is the safest payment and bill delivery option.

If you encounter suspicious activity or feel threatened, it is best to contact local law enforcement. We are committed to providing reliable and innovative energy services while ensuring the safety and security of our members. Stay informed and vigilant.

Read the full January 2024 SECO News.

SECO News, April 2017

Duncan’s Digest: SUBSTATION BUZZ

When I first started working in the energy industry, I was convinced that the linemen had their own language and it wasn’t English. As a financial guy, industry terms like “feeder,” “backfeed,” and “step-up and step-down,” frankly didn’t make much sense. But, as my career continued and I became engrossed in energy, I now use these terms and more on a regular basis. I thought it might be interesting for you to have more insight into the energy industry at SECO.

Substations are a visible and integral part of our nation’s electric grid. If you think of a generating plant as the brains of the operation, then substations are the heart. Substations serve many functions, transforming high-voltage to low-voltage or vice versa as power flows through them – almost instantaneously.

Substations are an essential component of the grid’s connection as the link between the transmission and distribution portions of an electric system. Substations are key to performing electric system maintenance and balancing the flow of power during irregular operations.

How do the components of the grid work together? As a SECO member, the electricity you use is created at Seminole Electric (a generation and transmission cooperative) power plant and then supplied to a transmission substation near the plant.

The transmission substation increases or “steps-up” the voltage in order for the generated power to travel hundreds of miles via large transmission lines to a SECO substation. Upon arrival, voltage is decreased or stepped-down and sent on its way in multiple directions through SECO’s distribution lines. Along the distribution lines, additional transformers decrease the voltage again before it is ready to energize the homes and businesses SECO serves.

The SECO and Seminole connected electric grid can be thought of as a highway system. Generating plants, transmission lines, substations and distribution lines are all connected – which is a benefit to you. Interconnection allows other substations to pick up load when another substation or distribution line is in high demand. This keeps the energy flowing freely and uniformly on the grid.

Interconnected substations in our service area allow SECO’s Operations crews to restore power quickly and safely to members. When a substation or major line (that we refer to as a feeder) suffers an outage, SECO’s System Control Coordinators can use the interconnected grid to program another substation to pick up the load or “backfeed” service to the meters that lost power. System Control Coordinators also use backfeeding to keep SECO members in service when a substation, transmission or distribution line requires routine maintenance.

At the heart of SECO’s 2,000-square mile territory, are the 48 substations that supply power to almost 200,000 SECO members. SECO owns, inspects and maintains over 12,000 miles of electric lines that represent an almost 800-million-dollar investment.

According to the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab), electricity moves almost as fast as the speed of light – about 173,000 miles per second. When you turn on a light in your home, the power to run that light was actually created less than one second ago.

Last year, you and your fellow members consumed over 3.239 billion, yes billion, kilowatt hours. Providing safe, reliable electric service to members is one of our top priorities. And our expertly designed, soundly built, well-maintained, sophisticated system allows us to do just that. On behalf of myself and 400+ SECO employees, it is our pleasure serving as your energy provider.

Ways to Pay

SECO offers members several convenient ways to pay your monthly energy bill. Whether you stop by, drive-thru or log in – SECO has a payment option that is right for you.

Pay online with SmartHub – available online or via mobile application, SmartHub is a tech savvy member’s preferred payment choice. Using SmartHub, members can view and pay their bill, enroll in bank draft, update account information and compare energy usage by month or year.

Pay by Bank Draft – Seasonal members appreciate the convenience of having their monthly bill automatically drafted from a bank account of their choice. Thousands of others depend on bank draft to keep their account current with little effort on their part. Sign up through SmartHub today.

Your Bank’s Online Bill Payment – You can also choose to pay your energy bill through your bank’s online bill payment system. When setting up the payment, have your bill available to enter the key information like the account number and SECO’s payment address.

Pay in Person – SECO’s five Member Service Centers have walk-in and drive-thru access available. Some offices have payment kiosks available 24/7 that accept cash, debit and credit cards.

Pay by Phone – Call 1-877-371-9382 24 hours a day, seven days a week to pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, debit card or electronic check.

Pay Now – Need to make a quick one-time payment now? PayNow (a quick feature of SmartHub) is available for members to pay online without actually registering for a SmartHub account.

Pay by Mail – Members can mail their monthly payments to:
SECO Energy P.O. Box 31634
Tampa, FL 33631-3634.

My Way PrePay – The program is perfect for SECO members on a budget. Members who enroll in My Way PrePay pay for their energy before use. Register with SmartHub and pay online, by phone or through a kiosk. No deposit required.

Fidelity Xpresspay – Pay your SECO bill through a Fidelity Xpresspay location in Central Florida. For a list of payment centers call 1-800-621-8030 or visit www.fidelityexpress.com. Processing time is approximately two days. This payment option is not recommended for MyWay PrePay members or those who have received a disconnect notice. There is a $1.50 processing fee per payment.

MoneyGram – Another option available is MoneyGram. MoneyGram has locations in Central Florida and is recommended for MyWay PrePay members who aren’t using SmartHub. Visit www.moneygram.com to learn more or find a location near you. There is a $1.50 processing fee per payment.

Explore SECO’s ways to pay, find an office location or sign up for SmartHub.

Energy Estimator Winners

Congratulations to our three Energy Estimator Contest winners. John and Barbara Gardner of The Villages are the winners of the $300 bill credit. Bruce McClain of Ocala is the winner of the energy efficiency tools and John Baccoli, also of Ocala, won the programmable Wi-Fi thermostat. Want to learn more about energy efficiency and lowering your bills? Calculate your monthly and yearly energy usage on a variety of appliances and electronics with the Energy Estimator. Interested in an in-depth audit of your home’s energy efficiency? On the website Contact Us page, request a free in-home energy audit with one of SECO’s trained Energy Specialists or if you are short on time, explore the Home Energy Assessment, a comprehensive online energy audit you can complete in the comfort of your home.

Safety Corner

Spring is here, the sun is shining and it’s time to update your landscaping. Before you dig, call 811 – it’s the law. 811 is a free service that locates and marks the underground lines on your property. Don’t be caught unaware, cause an accident or an outage – call 811 before you dig.

Read the full April 2017 SECO News here.

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Tag: Ways to Pay

SECO News December 2024

TIPS TO HELP YOU DECK THE HALLS SAFELY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON:

Here are the top 5 most popular options:

SECO News, April 2017

Duncan’s Digest: SUBSTATION BUZZ

Ways to Pay

Energy Estimator Winners

Safety Corner

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

CONTACT US

Search our website

CONNECT WITH US

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

CONTACT US

Search our website

CONNECT WITH US