April 2020 SECO News

AP RIL

|

2020

SECONEWS I

have exciting news to share.

SECO’s new interactive voice response (IVR) phone system launched in early March. The system is available 24/7, is user-friendly and is a big leap forward in customer service technology.

The former phone system was in desperate need of an upgrade. With recent laws banning handheld phone use while driving, the new natural language IVR is a safer alternative and is easier to navigate.

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aren’t so tech-savvy will receive the same information and level of service as online members.

Another benefit of the virtual assistant is its call back feature. If you have tried to call us on Monday morning or the Tuesday after a holiday, you may have noticed longer hold times. With the virtual assistant, you can request a call back during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. This call back saves your place in the THE VIRTUAL queue, and you don’t have to wait on hold. A future phase ASSISTANT IS OUR of the IVR will include virtual NEWEST SECO assistance with high usage inquiries, meter re-reads, new REPRESENTATIVE service connects, disconnects WHO CAN ASSIST and transfers.

THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS SIMULTANEOUSLY.

The new IVR features a virtual assistant who uses natural language technology mimicking a real conversation.

Previously manual tasks can now be completed virtually with full automation. Without pressing numbers on your keypad, you can report an outage, initiate a billing inquiry or make a payment arrangement at any time without speaking to a representative. Members can also log into SmartHub at SECOEnergy.com and request a payment arrangement.

The virtual assistant is our newest SECO representative who can assist thousands of members simultaneously.

This will come in handy during hurricane season when perhaps 100,000+ are without power at once like during Hurricane Irma.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE • Right Tree, Right Place

Using the new IVR, you can check the status of an existing outage, learn the estimated restoration time and crew status. The IVR’s outage component functions much the same as the online StormCenter platform. Members who

• Safety Corner • Farmer’s Almanac • #SafeDiggingMonth • Florida Fauna & Flora APRIL 2020 | SECO NEWS

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What is green, creates oxygen and can help you reduce your annual energy costs?

Trees, of course! Choosing the right tree to planet in the right place can help you reduce energy costs and reduce tree-related power outages.

Plant trees to the south, southwest or west side of structures to reduce cooling costs in the summer. Native Florida shade trees that grow well in Central Florida according to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are Florida elms and hophornbeam trees.

Block fall and winter winds by planting evergreens and shrubs on the north and west side of structures. UF/IFAS lists hollies, southern magnolias and sweetbay magnolias as native Floridian evergreen shade trees. For shrubs, choose azaleas, bottlebrush, Indian hawthorn, juniper, loropetalum or tea olive. Plant shrubs close to your home’s foundation to insulate against cold weather.

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Trees growing too close to power lines can cause sparks, fires, power outages and shock hazards. Maintain a clear zone of 15 feet on each side of an overhead line. Before planting a tree, consider its mature height and its proximity to overhead power lines. Trees that grow to a mature height of 40 feet or higher should be planted at least 50 feet away from power lines. Small ornamental trees or shrubs that will not exceed 25 feet in height are best to be planted closer to lines, but outside the clear zone.

ADVICE FROM THE

OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC lists April 1st and 2nd as well as the 27th through the 29th to turn April showers into May flowers by planting aboveground crops. For belowground crops, plant on April 9th and 10th or the 18th or 19th. Are you planning on spring cleaning? The best day to wash windows is the 20th through the 22nd.

Clean your floors on either the 18th or 19th and paint on the 7th or 8th.

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We like our virtual assistant a lot and think she needs a name. I’m asking for your help and want to give you a chance to listen to the great features of the new IVR. Visit SECOEnergy. com > My Account > Name the IVR or click on the homepage banner. Play the four sample recordings of our new virtual assistant. Verify your account information and cast your vote for one of the name options:

an Amazon Alexa and an Amazon fire tablet.

Enter before May 15. We’ll announce our new virtual assistant’s name and contest winners in June SECO News.

770002 This new system is indeed state-of-the-art technology and it came with a corresponding price tag. The good news is that it will pay for itself over the years as more members experience it firsthand and are willing to selfserve using the IVR. No employees will be displaced by the new technology. I encourage members to use it to their advantage and ours as a not-for-profit cooperative committed to affordable, reliable electric service for years to come.

733800 Sincerely, Your entry places you in a drawing to win one of five great prizes: a $250 SECO bill credit, a Ring doorbell, a Nest Learning Thermostat,

Jim Duncan Chief Executive Officer

OVERHEAD POWER LINES ARE A NECESSARY COMPONENT OF SECO ENERGY’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM. Never touch an overhead line – even if the line is broken and on the ground after a storm. Always assume an overhead line is energized. Touching it could cause severe injury and even death.

Never lean a ladder against a power line or trim trees growing too close to lines. Warn children not to play on or near electric equipment. Do not allow children to fly kites or toy planes, climb trees or release balloons near power lines.

Use these tips to help keep you and your family safe from the risk of contacting an energized power line.

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

APRIL 2020 | SECO NEWS

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LARGEMOUTH BASS

#SafeDiggingMonth

fauna & flora

T

he largemouth bass is the official state freshwater fish. This olive-green to greenish-gray bass is also the most popular game fish in North America. The largemouth bass is easily differentiated from other basses because its upper jaw extends beyond the rear edge of its eye. Its back fins are separated by a deep dip – another distinctive feature of this fish.

029302 Largemouth bass are found in lakes and rivers primarily near vegetation or underwater structures. Bass are carnivores who enjoy hiding undercover to ambush prey. Adult bass eat a variety of fish, crustaceans, frogs, snakes and even small birds and baby alligators. Bass spawn each spring with males fanning out over the bed to protect the eggs.

Spring’s warmer weather adds todo items to your list. Before picking up a shovel to install a new fence, plant a garden or add landscaping or

trees,

contact

811

to

locate

the underground utilities on your property.

Florida law requires you to call 811 or visit www.sunshine811.com before digging. The 811 service is free. April is #SafeDiggingMonth – remember to call 811 or visit www.sunshine811.com before you dig!

FUN FISH FACT: Largemouth bass are native to eastern and central U.S. and Mexico but have been introduced widely elsewhere. In many places around the world, its predatory habits have made it an invasive species.

Jerry D. Hatfield

The Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, April 20, 2020, 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, May 18, 2020.

District 3

Richard Dennison

Ray Vick

Vice President District 4

District 5

Bill James Secretary-Treasurer District 8

Scott D. Boyatt 24/7 Job Hotline: Report an Outage: secoenergyjobs.com stormcenter.secoenergy.com

Gerald B. Anderson

President District 9

District 1

Joyce Anderson District 2

4 SECO Energy.com APRIL 2020 SECO is NEWS SECO |Energy an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Michael Muffett District 6

Joseph Kusiak District 7