July 2019 SECO News

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SECONEWS DUNCAN’S DIGEST Jim Duncan, CEO

The dog days of summer have arrived.

With warmer temperatures and increased humidity, your home’s HVAC works overtime to keep you cool.

Pool pumps run for extended hours to prevent algae growth. These factors add up to increased kilowatt-hour use and higher electric bills.

SECO is your local not-forprofit electric cooperative committed to serving as your energy-efficiency partner.

To help members reduce energy use, we’ve created energy-efficiency tools at SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions.

220011 Visit Energy Solutions today and complete our Home Energy Assessment. SECO designed this tool as an online audit that provides specialized energyefficiency advice tailored to your home and lifestyle. The Home Energy Assessment is available to members 24/7. No need to wait for an appointment for an in-home audit.

To get started, input the characteristics of your home including age, construction,

insulation and roof type. Include details about occupancy, type and number of windows, and exterior doors. The Home Energy Assessment will also query about completed energyefficiency upgrades such as additional insulation, window tint, weather stripping and caulking.

WIN A PRIZE! 1) NEST WI-FI THERMOSTAT 2) HONEYWELL WI-FI THERMOSTAT OR 3) ECOBEE WI-FI THERMOSTAT.

using your programmable thermostat’s energy-efficiency settings to save as much as $180 per year.

Browse the Energy Solutions tab for other energy-efficiency tools. Our Energy Estimator calculates the amount of energy and cost for electronics and appliances.

It’s pretty handy if you’re thinking of adding a pool, charging a golf cart or installing a refrigerator in the garage or lanai.

245302 SECO is proud to serve as your energy-efficiency partner.

After entering your home’s details, provide your email address to receive your energyefficiency report based on your home’s specifics. It will provide low-cost ways to decrease your energy usage and your bill.

735012 Members who complete the Home Energy Assessment will be entered in a drawing for the high-tech programmable thermostats listed above. Three winners will be drawn August 15.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE • Sponsorships & Donations • Surge MitiGator • SECO Champion • Winners’ Circle

ENERGY STAR recommends JULY 2019 | SECO NEWS

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SPONSORSHIPS & DONATIONS APPLY ONLINE SECO Energy is a strong corporate citizen.

Our cooperative supports programs based on commitment to the key cooperative principle “Concern for Community.” SECO Energy is also a not-for-profit utility. We do not have the deep pockets of investor-owned, forprofit organizations. Thus, we partner with organizations whose culture and programs align with our core values and purpose.

Annually, we ally with United Way chapters to facilitate employee pledging. Over the years, employees have donated $860,000. In addition, SECO provides quarterly allocations from our Pennies from Heaven program to fund local agencies for bill payment assistance for members in need.

Over the holidays, we sponsor a Toys for Tots drive, and our Member Service Centers are designated drop off locations. Our employees are annual, generous supporters of the program, donating hundreds of bikes, trikes and toys over the years.

SECO is also a strong corporate participant in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life events raising $132,000 over the last decade.

Based on our headquarters’ location, we belong to the Sumter County Relay program

Take the bite out of damaging power surges and spikes with SECO Energy’s “Made in the USA” Surge MitiGator. Power surges are sudden, powerful increases in voltage which can damage or destroy household appliances and electronic devices. The most obvious cause of surges is lightning, but birds, small animals, trees or vehicles crashing into power poles are culprits as well.

Protect your home’s large appliances by leasing or purchasing SECO’s Surge MitiGator. Enroll online through August 30th and installation (a $25 value) is free. Lease the Surge MitiGator for $5.95 per month or purchase for $349 (standard 200-amp service).

For residential services greater than 200 amps, the purchase price is $399 with $75 installation. Studies indicate that more than half of all surges actually originate from inside the home so be sure to also

but we also provide funding to other counties’ Relay programs on a pro-rata basis.

080009 To request that SECO sponsor or donate to your organization, please use our new form on SECOEnergy.com > Contact Us. Submissions based on these focuses will be considered: Educational STEM Projects Environmental Projects Energy-Related Projects Veterans Initiatives Public Safety Programs Health/Human Services Please note SECO does not sponsor individual sports teams or booster club initiatives, as there are thousands across our service territory. SECO participates in golf tournaments selectively if we can set up a booth to engage with members. We fund initiatives in our sevencounty footprint of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco and Sumter.

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Individual bill payment, basic need or job training assistance is offered by Florida 211 and funded by our Pennies from Heaven program.

Members can call or text 211 to request assistance.

purchase point-of-use devices at your local hardware or big box store to protect your electronics.

To learn more about SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator visit SECOEnergy.com > Energy Solutions > Surge MitiGator. Protect your home’s appliances from surges – lease or purchase the Surge MitiGator today.

DUSTIN MERRITT SURGE PROGRAM SUPERVISOR

“SECO HELPS MEMBERS.” A Central Florida native raising four children in Webster with his wife Kimberly, Dustin has worked for SECO for 15 years. His SECO career began as a meter reader, and he eventually worked his way into Energy Services. Dustin was promoted to Supervisor of the Surge Protection Program in 2018. He is responsible for oversight of his team and SECO’s surge protection contractor. Dustin enjoys the opportunity to help and educate members.

He and his team advocate the Surge MitiGator™ as protection against surges that may enter a home through power lines. Surges may occur due to downed lines, car accidents, animal contact or lightning strikes, and our surge protection ring installed at the meter base provides a layer of protection for large motor driven appliances in the home.

Visit with Dustin or one of his team members by emailing surge@secoenergy.com.

LENGTH OF SERVICE: 15 YEARS

JULY 2019 | SECO NEWS

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BAY SCALLOPS

WINNERS’

CIRCLE

Congratulations to Norma Jean Bottoms from Paisley who is the winner of the Microsoft Surface Go! Ms. Bottoms registered to join

fauna & flora

T

he Florida bay scallop is a bivalve (two shells joined by a hinge) mollusk that lives in shallow, grassy flats in select locations along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Usually found in four to ten feet of water, scallops live in all oceans, but never in fresh water.

Bay scallops are recognizable by the tiny bright blue eyes running along the shell rim.

Bay scallops open their shells to feed and breathe.

A scallop’s diet consists of algae and organic matter that is filtered from the water. It uses its gills to pull oxygen out of the water. A single scallop can produce more than one million eggs per spawn.

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Unlike oysters and clams, scallops are swimmers.

They click their shells together to create thrust and propel through water. Their ability to swim makes them difficult to catch.

America’s electric cooperatives’ advocacy hub the Cooperative Action Network. You too can become a key voice for electric co-ops to protect affordable, reliable energy in Florida. Visit www.action.coop to learn more.

Hundreds of members played 2018 Annual Report trivia with SECO on our Facebook page. Our three winners are: Jonathan Dove from Clermont won the Apple iPad; the $200 bill credit went to Rosalie Wilke from Ocala; and Carolyn Wheelis from Sorrento won the Honeywell Wi-Fi thermostat. Congratulations, winners!

“HIDDEN” ACCOUNT NUMBERS Don’t forget to look for the last six digits of your account number in this month’s SECO News. You can email us at customerservice@secoenergy.com or call

Thousands of scallop enthusiasts enjoy the challenge of trying to catch a tasty meal during Florida’s scallop season which generally runs from late June through early September. Before netting your catch, verify your location’s season. Scallop harvesting rules vary by county and violations carry a hefty fine.

Photo by Nancy Sheridan/FWC

The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, July 22, 2019, at 2:30 p.m. in the Corporate Offices at 330 South US HWY 301 in Sumterville.

A Trustees’ meeting will also be held on Monday, August 26, 2019.

24/7 Job Hotline: (855) 483-2673 secoenergyjobs.com Report an Outage: (800) 732-6141 stormcenter.secoenergy.com

if your number appears. Six winners will be drawn at random from all submissions. Winners receive a $25 restaurant gift card.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES & T RU ST E E ME E T ING DAT E S

Jerry D. Hatfield President District 9

Gerald B. Anderson District 3

Richard Dennison

Ray Vick

Vice President District 4

District 5

Bill James Secretary-Treasurer District 8

Scott D. Boyatt District 1

Dillard B. Boyatt District 2

SECO Energy.com SECO Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Earl Muffett District 6

Joseph Kusiak District 7