LCEC – Lee County Electric Cooperative

Choosing the right temp for the right situation

There is no reason to overwork your air conditioner when you are away from home. Keeping your home cool when you are away is not just silly, it can be pretty expensive. Below are tips choosing the right temp for any situation here in beautiful SWFL:

Hot day:
LCEC recommends setting your A/C to 78 degrees Fahrenheit while home, and 83 degrees if you will be gone for more than two hours. Each degree below the recommended temperature of 78 degrees adds eight percent to cooling costs.

Cold day:
Set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit while home, and 65 when you leave your home. Heating is the most intense use of electric energy in the average home, is the most expensive electric appliance and costs two to three times more than cooling so use it wisely!

Vacay:
If you are planning to get away, it is wise to keep the A/C set at 83 degrees or higher. Remember to keep your curtains closed to keep your home from being overly hot when you return.

Leaving home for the season:
Seasonal residents should consider what type of thermostat they have before deciding how to leave their A/C while leaving their homes for extended periods of time.
• Manual thermostats should be set to 77 degrees if you live in a condo, and 80 degrees if you live in a home. This will keep mold from growing in your home while still keeping your electric bill reasonable.
• Programmable thermostats should be set to 72 degrees for two hours every morning before sunrise and then 83 degrees for the remainder of the day. Doing this will ward off mold when the air is cool and humidity is high. Keep in mind that programmable thermostats can save you up to 28 percent in cooling costs so programmable thermostats are a fantastic way to save money on cooling your home!
• Consider using portable dehumidifiers, set to 58 percent, by sinks and showers. Be very careful to only put dehumidifiers in places where the water runs into a drain.

For more energy saving tips, visit lcec.net.

Attention LCEC Paperless Billing Customers

You may notice that you are receiving a paper copy of your bill this month and next month. This is a result of our transition to a new customer care and billing system, which will offer additional convenient options to our customers. You will not receive your electronic mail notification until you ENROLL IN PAPERLESS BILLING THROUGH THE LCEC SMARTHUB after September 24. If you have questions or concerns please contact LCEC at 239-656-2300 or www.lcec.net.

LCEC Launching New Customer Care & Bill System Next Month!

LCEC has been working for more than a year to replace our flagship computer systems with a single solution that has been adopted by more than 800 electric and telecom utilities across the nation. The new system offers opportunities for cost savings, which will help to keep electric rates competitive for our customers. It also offers enhanced efficiency for LCEC stakeholders.

We are scheduled to roll out the new system in September and will be working throughout the rest of the year to make adjustments that may be needed. The first phase of the initiative is just the beginning of a host of possibilities we hope to bring to our customers. Although we anticipate a smooth transition, there may be some bump in the road. We are committed to addressing any issues or concerns that may result, and we thank our customers in advance for their patience as we adapt to the new systems.

LCEC is looking forward to upcoming system phases that will bring more improved technology features and added convenience and value to our customers. We thank all customers for your patience while we adjust.

Call for LCEC Environmental Funding Award Applications

September 1 is the deadline to apply for LCEC’s 2018 Environmental Funding Awards. To apply for an environmental funding award from LCEC, organizations can email pr@lcec.net to receive an application. Interested organizations must meet certain criteria to be considered for the award including being located within LCEC service territory, funding utilized for projects/programs related to the environment and the utility industry, and having a demonstrated need for funds. Funding is awarded twice a year with deadlines happening in March and September. Through this program, nearly $20,000 total was awarded in March 2018 to the following recipients: The City of Sanibel, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), Coastal Keepers, Calusa Land Trust and Nature Preserve of Pine Island, Inc., Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and the Monofilament Busters. LCEC’s Environmental Funding Award Program is just one of the many ways that LCEC positively impacts and supports wildlife and the environment.

Things to consider before investing in a new refrigerator

Buying a new refrigerator can be overwhelming. From sizing to configurations to color to features, the options are endless! Being that refrigerators account for a good chunk of your electric usage, it is important to consider the following tips to make a truly informed decision:

Look for ENERGY STAR products
ENERGY STAR products help their owners save money and energy while protecting the environment. ENERY STAR certified refrigerators use significantly less energy than older models which could save you nearly $260 over a span of five years.

Opt for a top-mounted freezer
Refrigerators range in configurations. Before springing for a bottom freezer or a side-by-side, consider investing in an ENERGY STAR top-mounted freezer which uses less energy than a 60-watt light bulb and are reasonably priced. Top-mounted freezers cost about $45 a year to run while side-by-sides cost about $77 and bottom freezers cost about $70.

Don’t be fooled by the features
Think about what you need in terms of features when you are researching new refrigerators. Things like through-the-door ice can add up to about $10 per year on your electric bill. This may seem small, but things can surely add up on your receipt AND your electric bill if you go for all the bells and whistles!

Think green
Recycling your old refrigerator is essential to helping prevent global warming. Refrigerators contain harmful materials, refrigerant and foam which can produce greenhouse gas emissions. There is also more than 120 pounds of recyclable steel in most refrigerators that are 10+ years old. Below are a few ways to recycle your refrigerator:
• Buy your refrigerator from a retailer that partners with EPA’s Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program. This voluntary partnership helps protect the ozone layer and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Check with your state energy office to see if they have a refrigerator/freezer recycling program. Some programs even offer cash to recycle your old fridge!
• Ask your local waste management division if they pick up and recycle large appliances.
• Contact a local scrap metal recycler.