SECO News, December 2020

Duncan’s Digest – 2021 United Way Pledge Drive

SECO Energy employees have been exceptionally generous this year. Their philanthropic spirit is fostered by one of our Cooperative Principles: Concern for Community. Many employees, some who are not members themselves, have joined me in supporting SECO’s Pennies from Heaven charitable fund. Employee and member donations to Pennies from Heaven have funded member bill payment assistance and provided funds for local food banks experiencing critical shortages.Employees have also donated generously to our yearly Toys for Tots donation drive.

SECO employees recognize that local community help is needed year-round and not only during the Christmas season. For this reason, employees take part in an annual employee-funded United Way Pledge Drive. This year has been challenging for some local families who have struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shutdown. The need may well extend into next year.

For our 2021 United Way Pledge Drive, employees willingly pledged $61,433 to United Ways in ten local counties. This donation makes a big difference in the lives of local families. SECO’s 400+ employees live in or near the counties we serve, and employees choose the county where their donated dollars will benefit.

The bulk of our employees live in Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties, and these counties received the highest dollar amounts in donations. The breakdown by county is:

Lake and Sumter: $29,508

Marion: $20,885

Citrus: $6,023

Other Counties (Gilchrist, Hernando, Levy, Orange, Pasco and Polk): $5,017

Total: $61,433

Join SECO employees in their effort to promote the United Way’s mission to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good. Education, income and health care are United Way’s key focuses. Visit United Way to donate or volunteer.

I am grateful for our employees’ generosity and dedication to our members and the communities we serve. From the SECO family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Engage With Electra to Win

Earlier this year, SECO Energy upgraded its phone system to a new, user-friendly interactive voice response (IVR) system. Our virtual agent’s name is Electra, and she is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Engage with Electra to win! Starting December 1, members who interact with Electra virtually and don’t request a SECO member service representative will be eligible to win a $25 gift card. We’ll draw one winner each week.

Electra is multi-functional. She can answer thousands of calls virtually and save you from waiting on hold for rep assistance.

BILLING INQUIRIES: Ask Electra “What is my balance?” or ask her “What is the due date?” Need more billing information? Electra can answer questions such as “What was my last payment amount?” or “When was my last payment date?”

PAY YOUR BILL: Tell Electra “Pay my bill,” and she will transfer you to our PayNow payment processor. You can pay your bill by phone using a credit or debit card or electronic check without a convenience fee.

PAYMENT ARRANGEMENT*: Ask for a “Payment Arrangement” or an “Extension.” Electra will schedule terms – all without you having to speak with a rep.

DISCONNECT SERVICE: If you’re moving out of SECO’s service area and need to disconnect service, tell Electra to “Disconnect Service.” Please provide Electra with a forwarding address for future Capital Credit returns.

REPORT A POWER OUTAGE/UPDATE OUTAGE NOTIFICATIONS: Call Electra to report a power outage. Say the word “Outage,” and she will guide you through easy prompts to report the outage for you. To update your outage notifications, say “Update Notifications.” If you’re calling from a cell phone, Electra will ask if you want her to text you a link to StormCenter to update your outage notification preferences on your smartphone or tablet.

CHECK OUTAGE STATUS: Electra can give you details on the status of a current outage. Just say “Check Status,” and Electra will provide the crew status, estimated restoration time and outage cause if known.

REPORT AN AREA LIGHT OUTAGE: Find an area light issue? Just locate the pole number, call Electra and say “Report an Area Light Outage.” Read page four to learn how you can report area light outages online 24/7 with SECO Energy’s LightFinder tool on StormCenter.

SERVICE TROUBLE: Experiencing a service problem such as partial power or a wire down? Call Electra and say “Service Trouble.” Electra will automatically create a service trouble ticket.

Call Electra at (352) 793-3801 and let her assist you virtually for a chance to win a $25 gift card each week. Winning account must be active at the time of the drawing. Look for the first month’s weekly winners in February 2021 SECO News.

Good luck!

*Electra can schedule a payment arrangement for eligible accounts only.

Area Light Out? Report it Online

Need to report a malfunctioning area light? Report a light that is completely off, flickering or staying on during the day using our easy and convenient online tool called LightFinder, which is available through SECO Energy’s StormCenter platform.

Visit StormCenter 24/7 to report power outages, report area light malfunctions, update your communications preferences and more. To report an area light outage, choose the LightFinder tile. Enter the area light pole number or near address in the search bar, then click on the light icon to report the lighting issue. Review the light’s details and add comments if needed. Include your email address in the submission to receive updates about the light’s repair status.

A green light icon indicates there is no known area light issue. When an area light trouble ticket is issued, the icon turns red. Lights represented by an orange icon have been repaired in the last 24 hours. Member-owned lights are shown as a blue icon, and a gray icon indicates an inactive light.

SECO repairs most area light issues in less than 24 hours.

EV Charger Winner

Richard and Jill Nash from Clermont are the November winners 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.

StormCenter Word Search

SECO Energy’s StormCenter outage and communications platform is available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Report power outages, area light malfunctions and update or enroll in outage notifications. Visit StormCenter online.

Save Energy With a Smart Thermostat

Give yourself the gift of energy savings this holiday season. Invest in an ENERGY STAR rated smart thermostat to take the guesswork out of indoor temperature settings and to reduce your energy costs.

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.

The recommended thermostat setting for energy efficiency is no lower than 78 degrees in the summer and no higher than 68 degrees in the winter. You can save 6 to 8% annually for each degree higher you set the thermostat during the summer and reduce your heating costs by 3 to 5% in winter for each degree you lower the thermostat.

Bright Idea: If you’re going on vacation, set the thermostat to 82 degrees in the summer or 55 degrees in the winter.

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Say goodbye, 2020, and hello to 2021. The Old Farmer’s Almanac shares ideas for us to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Make a 2021 resolution to spend at least 120 minutes outdoors each week, schedule doctors’ visits and add online aerobics classes to your workout routine. Give your health a boost by adopting a dog or cat. 92% of dog owners believe their dog makes them healthier, and 85% of cat owners feel the same.

Some of the fun trends for 2021 are restaurants using edible tableware, paperless menus and local farmers selling produce and veggies in traditional supermarkets. Also making a comeback are houseplants and native plant designs in outdoor landscapes.

Surgeo Picks a Winner

Congratulations, Harriette Lowrey from The Villages who won a free one-year Surge MitiGator lease! We chose Ms. Lowrey’s name at random from all members subscribed to SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator protection on or before October 31.

Take Surgeo’s advice and enroll in SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator protection to take the bite out of damaging surges and spikes. Our meter-based surge arrester helps prevent unnecessary financial loss by reducing surges BEFORE they enter your home through the meter. The Surge MitiGator is designed to protects your home’s large-motor appliances.

You can lease the MitiGator for only $5.95 plus tax per month plus $25 installation fee. The purchase price ranges from $349 to $399, with installation included. To enroll online or review the MitiGator warranty, visit Surge MitiGator online.

Read the full December 2020 SECO News online.

Sunshine State Stats, January 2019

January 2019’s average high was 68° and the average low was 48° – a couple of degrees warmer than last January. January’s average temperature was 58°, while January of 2018 had an average temperature of 56°. Rainfall for January of 2019 was 3.02 inches compared to last January at 3.68 inches.

Based on data from the Leesburg weather station, February’s average high will hit around 71° and the average low is 49°. Those averages may cause residents to run heating units overnight and to switch to cooling in the afternoons. Based on the current forecast, Central Florida residents will see some afternoon highs in the low to mid 80s in mid-February. 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 – well before the heat of summer is upon us.

Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2018. For those with heat pumps, raise the thermostat setting no more than 1-2 degrees at a time when heating is being used to prevent back-up heat strips from operating. Heat strips can cost up to 5 times more per hour.

There were 27 cooling degree days and 250 heating degree days for January 2019, while last year there were 29 cooling degree days with 292 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.

Sunshine State Stats, December 2018

December 2018 was chilly compared to December 2017. The average temperature was 62°, while December of 2017 had an average temperature of 64°. The average high in December 2018 was three degrees cooler than 2017. This December also saw heavier precipitation. Rainfall for December 2018 was 5.55 inches compared to last December at 1.20 inches.

There were 62 cooling degree days and 157 heating degree days for December 2018, while last year there were 81 cooling degree days with 107 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.

January 2019 is forecast to be somewhat the same as last January and is still Central Florida’s coldest month of the year. Our local forecast calls for lows in the 40s for at least sixteen nights in January. Be sure you’ve changed your heating unit’s air filter and have had the unit serviced by a qualified technician. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal so keep an umbrella handy.

For those with heat pumps, raise the thermostat setting no more than 1-2 degrees at a time when heating is being used to prevent back-up heat strips from operating. Heat strips can cost up to five times more per hour in energy use.

** Past weather data sourced from Leesburg Airport weather station.

Sunshine State Stats, October 2018

October 2018’s average high of 87° was 2 degrees warmer than last October. The average temp was 77° – still pretty warm for October. Rainfall for October of 2018 was 1.81 inches compared to last October at 2.63 inches.

There were 373 cooling degree days and 1 heating degree days for October 2018, while last year there were 379 cooling degree days with 15 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.

November 2018 is forecast to give us daily high temperatures in the 70s and 80s right through Thanksgiving. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2017. By replacing a dirty HVAC filter, you can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% – 15%. Per ENERGY STAR, investing in a programmable thermostat can save you up to $180 a year on energy costs. Ask for one for Christmas!

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.

** Past weather data sourced from Leesburg Airport weather station.

Sunshine State Stats, August 2018

August 2018 was similar on average to August 2017. The average temperature was 83°, while August of 2017 had an average temperature of 84°. The average high this year was 91 – just one degree lower than last year. Though it seemed like it rained every darn day, rainfall for August of 2018 was 4.88 inches compared to last August at 7.91 inches.

There were 556 cooling degree days and 0 heating degree days for August 2018, while last year there were 595 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° degrees outside on a particular day, there are 5 Heating Degree Days for that day in that location.

September 2018 is… well… still hot with highs in the high 80s and low 90s. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2017. Thankfully, Fall is around the corner bringing cooler temperatures, allowing your air conditioners to get a much-needed break.

Sunshine State Stats, July 2018

July 2018 was pretty darn hot with nearly daily rain showers. The average high was 90°. The average temperature was 82°, while July of 2017 had an average temperature of 84°. The average low was 75°, compared with an average low of 76° last July. Rainfall for July of 2018 was 7.45 inches compared to last July at 7.91 inches.

There were 524 cooling degree days and 0 heating degree days for July 2018, while last year there were 590 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° degrees outside on a particular day, there are 5 Heating Degree Days for that day in that location.

August 2018 is forecast to be somewhat the same as last year with average high temperatures in the 90s. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2017. The continuation of afternoon showers could give your HVAC units a much-needed break.

Hurricane Season Update: Chances that the global climate pattern El Niño will develop this fall were increased in the most recent forecast, boosting confidence in revised predictions for a below-normal hurricane season. The federal Climate Prediction Center’s July El Niño forecast is giving it a 65 percent chance of appearing in the fall, and about a 70 percent chance of a winter formation.

For Florida, the periodic warming of the equatorial Pacific Ocean can mean a less active hurricane season with fewer of the powerhouse Cat 5 tropical cyclones known to build during the peak months of August through October.

Sunshine State Stats, June 2018

The weather in June 2018 was similar on average to June 2017. The average temperature this June and last June was 81°. Rainfall, however, for June of 2018 was 5.30 inches compared to last June at 14.63 inches.

There were 460 cooling degree days and 0 heating degree days for June 2018. Similarly, last year there were 495 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° degrees outside on a particular day, there are 5 Heating Degree Days for that day in that location.

July 2018’s temperatures are forecast to be above normal with lows in the 70s and highs in the low 90s. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2017. Remember that July is typically one of the hottest months of the year. The excessive heat and humidity will make your HVAC run more frequently, therefore impacting your electric bill. Remember 78 – 80° is the national standard for the HVAC in the summer. Set the thermostat higher to reduce your energy consumption. Just one degree higher can save 6 – 8% on your cooling cost.

SECO News, July 2018

Duncan’s Digest

Did you know SECO Energy serves over 200,000 homes and businesses in seven Central Florida Counties? Our 2,100-square mile territory houses 48 substations, over 12,000 miles of overhead line and more than 138,000 poles. SECO provides service to over 53,000 area lights that brighten roadways, sidewalks and members’ yards.

The 53,000 area lights are a significant component of our system. Crews are constantly on the lookout for lights that are out or burning during the day, and SECO typically repairs an area light in about 24 hours. To provide members and others with a fast way to report area light issues, SECO developed an easy-to-use online tool. This new system is called LightFinder.

In LightFinder, each area light is represented by an icon. Working lights are indicated by a green lightbulb icon. Lights already reported for repair are shown as a red wrench icon. For 24 hours after repairs are complete, the light icon changes to an orange check mark. Member-owned lights are expressed as blue icons, and inactive lights are gray

To report an area light outage or needed repair, visit StormCenter online. Locate the LightFinder icon and proceed to the LightFinder map. In the search bar at the top of the page, input the pole number or address to locate the area light.

Click the icon representing the light you wish to report. An info panel opens on the right side of the screen. Choose the light problem type from the drop-down menu, enter comments and continue.

Once reported, you will receive an email confirmation and a follow-up notification when the light is repaired.

LightFinder is also accessible through our online billing/payment account management tool called SmartHub which is available as an app for your smartphone or mobile device. To download, search SmartHub in your smartphone or tablet’s app store and complete the installation instructions. By clicking the icons on the home page of the SmartHub app, you can report area light outages through LightFinder or report a power outage through StormCenter.

These new online tools are designed for you, our members, to save you time and to help SECO communicate with you quickly. I hope you take advantage of the tools if needed.

Sincerely,

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

Energy Efficiency – Program Into Savings

Installing a programmable Wi-Fi thermostat is a low-cost step to reduce energy costs. ENERGY STAR recommends using the programmable thermostat’s pre-programmed settings to save up to $180 a year on your electric bill. You can purchase a name-brand Wi-Fi programmable thermostat at your local hardware or big box store for under $100.

For optimum efficiency, utilize the thermostat’s pre-set energy efficiency controls. Resist adjusting the thermostat to temporarily make a room cooler or warmer. Continued adjustments will increase the amount of energy used, and will not heat or cool your home faster. If you have strip heating, manually adjusting your thermostat by more than a few degrees at a time will cause the strips to cycle on in error.

During the summer, set the temperature for 78 degrees or higher. Set at 68 or lower during winter months. Program “away” timeframes so that your HVAC does not run unnecessarily while no one is home. Keep your fan setting on “Auto” and the HVAC unit’s fan will run only as needed. If the unit requires batteries, be sure to change them once a year. Weak or dying batteries will prevent programmed settings from running correctly.

Safety Corner – Downed Line Dangers

SECO Energy inspects thousands of poles annually to ensure they are in good condition. Poles damaged by bears, woodpeckers, high winds, vehicle accidents or weakening due to age are replaced. In the event of a tornado, tropical storm or hurricane, poles may break and result in downed power lines.

Downed lines are extremely dangerous. Always assume a downed line is energized. Never touch a downed power line and stay far away. Even the ground near a downed line has the potential to be energized – which can cause severe injury or death. Call 911 or SECO to report a downed line immediately.

Warn children of the dangers of downed power lines. Children are curious by nature and may want to touch or approach downed lines. Never allow children to play near electrical equipment or climb trees encroaching overhead lines. After storms, survey your area for hazards before allowing children outside to play. A downed line may be hidden by a tree or landscaping and not easily seen.

Power lines and poles are often found near roadways and can be damaged in vehicle accidents. In 2017, SECO crews repaired or replaced poles over 70 times as a result of vehicle accidents. If you strike a utility pole, stay in your vehicle unless it is on fire. Practice extreme caution before exiting. A downed line may be present on your car or close by on the ground. Warn emergency personnel and bystanders about possible downed lines nearby.

Understand the dangers of downed power lines. Play it safe, stay away from downed lines and report immediately.

Read the full July SECO News online.

Sunshine State Stats, May 2018

May 2018 was slightly cooler on average than May 2017. The average temperature was 77°, while May of 2017 had an average temperature of 79°. Rainfall for May of 2018 was 8.28 inches compared to last May at 2.71 inches.

There were 363 cooling degree days and 0 heating degree days for May 2018, while last year there were 426 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° degrees outside on a particular day, there are 5 Heating Degree Days for that day in that location.

June 2018 is forecast to be somewhat the same as last year with average temperatures in the mid 80’s and 90’s. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2017. The hot summer weather is upon us. Remember that every degree below 78° F the thermostat is lowered will increase your cooling costs by 6% – 8% per degree.

Per ENERGY STAR, investing in a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 annually. Wifi models that you can program from your computer or smartphone start at under $100 nowadays. Or you could win a wifi programmable thermostat in our May Facebook incentive. Read May SECO News for details.

Just in time for the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, SECO debuted an all-new StormCenter outage reporting platform. Bookmark StormCenter on your smartphone or other mobile device today.

Sunshine State Stats, April 2018

April 2018 was slightly cooler on average than April 2017. The average temperature was 72°, while April of 2017 had an average temperature of 74°. Rainfall for April of 2018 was 3.46 inches compared to last April at 2.33 inches.

There were 208 cooling degree days and 6 heating degree days for April 2018, while last year there were 283 cooling degree days with 4 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.

May 2018 is forecast to be somewhat the same as last year with average temperatures in the 80s and 90s. Rainfall is forecast to be heavier than normal compared to 2017. Much hotter weather is coming our way.

Keep in mind that 78°- 80° is the national standard for thermostat settings during the summer months. Per ENERGY STAR, investing in a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 annually. Wifi models that you can program from your computer or smartphone start at under $100 nowadays. Or you could win a wifi programmable thermostat in our May Facebook incentive. Read this month’s SECO News for details.

MY ACCOUNT

AMI

MEMBER PERKS

ENERGY SOLUTIONS

SOLAR

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

SAFETY

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

RELIABILITY

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

MEMBER PERKS

YOUR CO-OP

MEMBER PERKS

COMMUNITY

Archive

Duncan’s Digest – 2021 United Way Pledge Drive

Engage With Electra to Win

Area Light Out? Report it Online

EV Charger Winner

StormCenter Word Search

Save Energy With a Smart Thermostat

Advice from The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Surgeo Picks a Winner

Duncan’s Digest

Energy Efficiency – Program Into Savings

Safety Corner – Downed Line Dangers

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

Search our website

CONNECT WITH US

NEED HELP? CALL (352) 793 -3801

Search our website

CONNECT WITH US