July 2015 SECO News

Dear SECO Energy member, The Old Farmer’s Almanac shows the Dog Days of Summer as a 40-day period running from July 3rd through August 11th, coinciding with the rising of the Dog Star, Sirius, the brightest star in the Earth’s night sky. It is known as the Dog Star because of its prominence in the constellation called Canis Major (or Greater Dog).

The name Sirius comes from an ancient Greek term meaning glowing or scorcher.

According to NOAA, Florida’s 2015 scorcher began in the Spring when we experienced the warmest April on record. The National Weather Service reports that May was warmer and drier than normal across Central Florida. The Old Farmer’s Almanac reported the June forecast with an above average temperature and below average rainfall, and we all know that in July it’s just dog-gone HOT! The Dog Days of Summer mark the time of year when our members grapple with the balance of staying cool and keeping their electric bills reasonable. Our company offers a number of energyefficiency resources to help you identify energy-wasters in your home. We also offer guidance for adopting low-cost changes that reduce your energy usage.

Check out the 40 Days/40 Ways to Save challenge on the following page. Then visit the SECO Energy Facebook page and tell us about (or upload a photo of) your most effective energy-saving change on our Dog Days of Summer status update. We’ll enter your name in a drawing for a $500 electric bill credit, a programmable WiFi thermostat, or a year’s worth of HVAC filters. The winners will be announced just in time for the end of the Dog Days on August 11th.

Another winning tip: changing your HVAC filter improves your unit’s efficiency. You can save money on your filters (and get free home delivery) by ordering them online at SECOEnergy.com and clicking on .

As a not-for-profit electric co-op, SECO Energy is different from other utilities. We want you to buy less – not more – of our product. We are your energy-saving partner, and are here to help you save money on your electric bills year-round.

Best regards,

Ye ar of ’s w HV ort AC h filt ers

Pro Wi gram Fi the mab r m le os tat

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Jim Duncan

40 Days/40 Ways to Save SECO challenges you to practice these “ dog-gone” good energy tips to save during the Dog Days of Summer.

HVAC 1. Service your unit annually to ensure peak performance.

2. Use NATE-certified technicians for unit repairs and servicing.

3. Set the thermostat between 78-80° F in summer.

4. Inch the thermostat up 2-3° if you plan to be away.

5. Install thermostat on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, doorways and heat sources.

6. Use a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures.

7. Inspect, clean or change your filter monthly.

8. Repair leaky ducts with Mastic sealant or metal tape.

9. Operate ceiling fans in occupied rooms to feel cooler.

10. Raise the thermostat a couple of degrees when using ceiling fans.

Home Envelope 11. Caulk around windows to reduce air leakage.

12. Weather-strip and caulk around doors to keep cool air from escaping.

13. Reduce heat gain by closing the drapes/blinds during the heat of the day.

14. Install highly-reflective window film to block heat and glare 818302.

15. Add an awning on south and west-facing windows that receive direct sunlight.

Lighting 16. Turn lights off when you leave a room.

17. Save money and reduce heat with energy-efficient lighting such as CFLs and LEDs.

Water Heating 18. Set your water heater thermostat no higher than 120° F. 19. Install a timer to operate only 1 – 2 hours daily coinciding with water use.

20. Install a low-flow shower head to save energy and conserve water.

Refrigeration 21. Set refrigerator temperature between 35°-38°F. 22. Check seals to ensure they are airtight and prevent cool air from escaping.

23. Set freezer temperature between 0°-5° F and use a thermometer to verify.

24. Allow foods to cool before placing in the refrigerator or freezer.

25. Defrost manual-defrost freezers/ refrigerators when frost build-up is 1/4 inch or more.

26. Annually unplug your refrigerator and vacuum the coils to keep it running efficiently.

Cooking 27. Use portable electric cooking appliances rather than the oven or range.

28. Grill outside rather than use the oven.

29. Use a toaster or convection oven to save up to half the energy of a conventional oven.

30. Always use a lid when cooking; it’s faster, resulting in less energy use.

Dishwashing 31. Operate a full dishwasher rather than wash dishes several times by hand.

32. Scrape rather then rinse dishes prior to placing in the dishwasher.

Laundry 33. Wash only full loads of laundry.

34. Only wash clothes in cold water. 786103 35. Take advantage of the sun’s rays and dry clothing outside.

36. Avoid drying heavy clothing with lighter-weight clothing.

37. Clean the lint screen in your dryer between each use.

38. Inspect the dryer vent periodically and clean to ensure efficiency and prevent a fire.

Appliance Purchases 39. When shopping for a new appliance, look for the ENERGY STAR® label.

40. Review the Energy Guide label to determine the amount of energy an appliance will use.

Once you have identified ways to save in your home, visit the SECO Energy Facebook page and tell us about (or upload photos) your most effective energysaving change on our Dog Days of Summer status update. We’ll enter your name in a drawing for a $500 electric bill credit, a programmable WiFi thermostat, or a year’s worth of HVAC filters. The winners’ names will be announced just in time for the end of the Dog Days on August 11th.

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iPad mini winner

Troy and Cheryl Parker, SECO members in Mt. Dora, are the winners of the iPad mini promotion that kicked off at the 2015 Annual Meeting in late March. All registered SmartHub (SECO’s online account) subscribers were entered in the drawing for the iPad mini.

The Parkers were randomly selected from the list of nearly 50,000 SmartHub subscribers.

If you haven’t established an online account yet, visit SECOEnergy.com and click on the SmartHub logo.

A SmartHub online account allows you to receive your bill electronically, pay your bill by credit/debit card or electronic check, enroll in automatic bank draft, compare usage by the month or year, plot temperatures against your usage, set energy markers, opt out of paper billing, establish communication preferences, change your mailing address, update your phone number, and more.

Statement

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Nondiscrimination

Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SECO) is the recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is subject to the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which provide that no person in the United States on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability shall be excluded from participation in, admission or access to, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any of this organization’s programs or activities.

The person responsible for coordinating this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance efforts is James P. Duncan, Chief Executive Officer of Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feel that this organization has subjected them to discrimination, may file a written complaint with this organization; the Director, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250; or the Administrator, Rural Utility Service, Washington, D.C. 20250. Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination action. Identity of complainants will be kept confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out the purpose of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Nature’s reflections Eastern Tiger Swallowtail One of ten swallowtails found in Florida

Florida’s Eastern tiger swallowtail, Papilio glaucus, is found commonly throughout the state except in the Keys. Because it has a range which covers most of the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains, it is easy to see why many consider it their favorite insect.

With an average wingspan of four to six and a half inches, it is one of the largest and most easily identified butterflies. Adult males are yellow with unmistakable black tiger-like stripes. The two lower wings have a single blue and a single orange spot near the tails. Females may be black or yellow, but all have iridescent blue scales across the lower wings, yellow marginal spots and faint darker stripes on the underside of the hind wings.

Adults flit about seeking nectar from a variety of flowers and often stop to sip water and minerals from muddy areas. This behavior is called “puddling.” Like most butterflies, Eastern tiger swallowtails tend to be solitary.

They are commonly found along woodland edges. In Florida, the sweet bay, tulip tree, and black cherry are used as host plants by females which produce three to four broods a year. In other regions, two broods per year are normal. Green eggs are laid singly on the upper surface of leaves and quickly turn a greenish-yellow color. Young larvae are dark and resemble bird droppings. 140401 Larvae spin a mat of silk on a leaf causing the leaf edges to curl upward into a loose roll. Chewed leaves are clipped and dropped from the plant as camouflage to help hide them from predators. The larvae rests on a mat of silk, moves to other parts of the plant to feed, then returns to its silken mat in the curled leaf. Once full grown, the two-inch larvae changes again to a greenish-brown color and makes its way down the tree trunk where it hides in the leaf litter to spend the chrysalis stage until it emerges as a butterfly.

Watching butterflies is a fascinating hobby and butterfly gardening has gained popularity in recent years.

Today, public gardens and landscaping plans for highways include butterflies as a wildlife group. Preservation programs increase our enjoyment of all butterfly species and help ensure their survival for future generations.

Column & photo by Sandi Staton – sandi.staton@gmail.com

seco scholar expressions of Gratitude

My name is Jazmine L. Houston, a recipient of the 2015 SECO Scholarship. Words are not enough to express my gratitude. By awarding me this scholarship, I will be able to focus on my education at Florida State University, majoring in Computer and Mechanical Engineering. Your generosity is allowing me to make my goals and dreams a reality. One day I’ll be able to give back and help other students achieve their goals. It was a pleasure meeting the board and staff members. Special thanks to Ms. Judkins and everyone at the ceremony. You made my family and me feel very special!

Forever grateful,

Jazmine L. Houston Ocala, FL Thank you so much for the generous scholarship. It will help tremendously in furthering my education. I enjoyed meeting some of the board members who helped

support my college and choice of career, as well as the CEO and the other scholarship recipients. I am excited about studying the field of computer animation. Thank you again for you support.

Sincerely,

James Brannock Inverness, FL Dear Scholarship Committee, I want to thank you for your wonderful scholarship. Starting this summer, I will be furthering my education at Florida State University, and I am so excited to embark on this new academic journey. Your scholarship means a lot to me, as it will lift some financial burdens and put my mind at ease while I focus on accomplishing my goals in college.

Again, thank you so much.

Michelle Le

SECO TRUSTEES Ray F. Vick

President • District 5

Jerry D. Hatfield

Vice President • District 9

Robin R. Henion

Secretary-Treasurer • District 7

Scott D. Boyatt District 1

Dillard B. Boyatt District 2

Richard J. Belles District 3

Richard Dennison District 4

Earl Muffett District 6

Bill James District 8

Jim Duncan CEO

Summerfield, FL

My Co-op Deals Your SECO Co-op Connections Card is a moneysaving tool and the card connects you with a variety of discounts. Here are a few: A&C Exteriors is a local family-owned business providing full-service paver installation, landscaping, lawn maintenance, sod installations, and pressure washing. They are offering a 15% discount on any paver repair or new installation, as well as $10 off pressure washing service. Contact Judy (352) 753-3322 for service.

JB Guns & Ammo is a locally owned gun shop on 419 North Market Boulevard in Webster with the area’s largest selection of new and used rifles, pistols, assault weapons and ammunition. They are offering a 5% discount on the purchase of ammunition.

For a local listing of other participating businesses and for the national deals, visit www.connections.coop. If you are a local business owner interested in participating in the program, call (352)793-3801 and ask to speak to Eneida Robaina. 085011 Email customerservice@secoenergy.com to receive a new card or print one online at SECOEnergy.com. Click on and create an account or sign in to print a personalized card. Downloading a mobile Co-op Connections card for both Android and Apple devices is also available.

SECO’s Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, July 27th at 2:30 p.m. in the Corporate Offices located at 330 South US Highway 301 in Sumterville. 680010 A Trustees’ meeting will also be held on August 24, 2015.

SECO 24/7 Job Hotline www.secoenergyjobs.com 855-483-2673 SECO Outage Hotline www.secostormcenter.com 800-732-6141