LCEC – Lee County Electric Cooperative

Summertime…and the SWFL livin’ is HOT

June 30, 2021 – Even when the rain cools things down, the heat and humidity in SWFL these days is unforgiving! Don’t let the heat skew your electric judgement. Keep the following tips in mind to keep cool without increasing your electric usage:

• When cooling your home, set the thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Each degree below adds 8 to 12 percent to the cooling costs.
• While away from home for more than two hours, set the thermostat at 83 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Install a programmable thermostat that will automatically raise and lower the temperature at certain times of the day.
• Be sure your thermostat fan switch is set on the “auto” setting. This is more economical for temperature and humidity control.
• Do not close A/C vents or interior doors when A/C is running.
• Service your air conditioning system annually.
• Change or clean filters monthly.
• Keep windows and exterior doors closed when running your air conditioner. Also, use caulk and weather strip around windows and doors.
• Replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which use 75 percent less energy, or LED lamps (light emitting diode), which use 85 percent less energy with a life expectancy of 30,000 to 50,000 hours of run time.
• Turn off fans when the room is not occupied. Each continuously running fan costs approximately $7 per month on your electric bill.
• Install reflective window tint/film that will reflect 65 percent or better on windows facing east, west or south. LCEC also recommends installing awnings, storm shutters and planting shade trees.

Visit lcec.net for more ways to save.

LCEC introduces Power to Share by Rounding Up Program to help those in need

June 23, 2021 – LCEC is proud to announce the launch of the Power to Share by Rounding Up Program. This program is an expansion of our current Power to Share program which was created in 2009 to assist financially strained customers having difficulty making electric bill payments through a partnership between LCEC and the United Way. This short-term emergency assistance is available to qualifying customers within the LCEC service territory, and the program is funded through donations by LCEC employees, business partners, and customers.

Power to Share by Rounding Up expands the current program by providing participating customers with the opportunity to round up their monthly electric bill to the nearest dollar. This makes it easy to donate. For example, a bill of $150.25 would be rounded up to $151.00. The additional $0.75 will be allocated to the Power to Share Program. Customers can also add an additional monthly contribution or make a one-time donation to their bill. Excluding additional donations, the maximum year contribution per customer is just $12!

One-hundred percent of the donated funds are allocated to the Power to Share Program and administered by United Way to help pay the electric bill of someone in need. Customers can enroll through the LCEC SmartHub, online at www.lcec.net, or over the phone at 239-656-2300 with an LCEC Customer Care Professional. If a customer decides to opt-out later, they can simply use the same enrollment channels to do so. 

For more details on the LCEC Power to Share by Rounding Up Program including FAQs, please visit https://www.lcec.net/about-lcec/community-and-education/power-to-share. Thank you in advance to those customers who opt-in to this new program, and help change the lives of those who need it most in our community!

Power restoration following a major storm

June 16, 2021 – LCEC customers are part of the cooperative that distributes electricity to nearly 230,000 Southwest Floridians. The complex network that puts electricity where it needs to be is just like the parts of a car engine that work together to get you from point A to point B. The following explains how LCEC goes about restoring power following a major storm.

• The first step in our restoration plan is damage assessment, which includes physical inspections of our facilities and plants. Once damage assessments have been made, LCEC begins repairs.
• Secondly, we repair main circuits and critical facilities such as hospitals, police and fire stations.
• The third step is to restore services to the greatest number of customers as soon as possible.
• Lastly, LCEC begins restoring power to those small pockets or individuals still without power.

As we navigate through the 2021 storm season, LCEC reminds all customers to be patient if and when power outages occur. Customers can rest assured knowing that LCEC will work around-the-clock to restore power as soon as it is safe for our linemen to hit the pavement.

Portable Generator Safety Tips From LCEC

June 9, 2021 – If you power your home with a portable generator during electrical outages, it is essential to consider the serious health and safety risks to you, your neighbors, and unsuspecting line crews working in the area if not operated properly. Keep the following in mind to protect yourself and others this storm season:

• Before you buy a generator, determine how much electricity you need for your home. Be sure to buy the right size generator.
• Read the operating instructions carefully before operating the generator.
• Do not connect a generator directly to your home’s electrical system. Plug appliances directly into the generator.
• Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. Keep in an open, well ventilated area outside and away from open windows.
• Buy a battery-operated carbon-monoxide alarm, which will alert you if carbon monoxide levels become dangerous.
• Do not touch a generator if you are wet or standing in water.
• Consult an electrician if you have any questions about the safe operation of your generator.

Visit lcec.net for more tips for staying safe around electricity.

Storm season preparations are essential for those with special needs

June 2, 2021 – Depending on the severity of storms that come our way this storm season, power outages may occur. Hopefully you have already prepared yourself and your loved ones, but it is essential to prepare those with special needs BEFORE a storm heads our way! Below are some tips to keep those with special needs safe this storm season:

• Have a plan in place to ensure the continuity of any life-support needs. This may include making special arrangements to spend time with a friend or relative during an outage or using a back-up generator.
• If you use a back-up generator, please be responsible for the safe installation, use, and maintenance of any back-up power.
• Keep phone numbers of emergency response agencies, such as the hospital, fire department and police, in a convenient location, in the event emergency assistance is needed.
• Ensure that you have a back-up telephone if you use a cordless or other telephone that is dependent on electricity.
• Have a battery-powered radio on hand and a supply of fresh batteries to remain aware of news and other information.
• Keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy.

If preferred, those needing assistance can apply for special needs programs which provide shelter and transportation free of charge during Tropical Storms and/or Hurricanes. Applications can be found online according to what county you live in.

For more information on storm season safety including the downloadable LCEC Hurricane Guide, visit www.lcec.net.