Electric rates in New Jersey are going to jump on average by about 20% in about a month, right on cue with the arrival of summer.

News 12 spoke with some experts on how to help keep those rate hikes in check by simple cost-saving measures you can do around the house.

From light bulbs to fans to pool pumps and even furnaces, if you’re not paying attention to the little details, you may be surprised when your June utility bill comes around.

Your bills will increase on June 1 by an average of between 17% and 20%. These rate hikes are the result of demand increases, according to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

Check your bulbs – says Ray Summers, of Manasquan Lighting – and if you haven’t made the switch to LED, do it.

“A lot of people still like the old-fashioned light bulbs. They aren’t really making them anymore. You have to switch to LED. It saves up to 85%,” said Summers. “They are a little bit more expensive, but they will last. Like a 60-watt [A-series] bulb will last 23 years.”

Oscillating and ceiling fans help circulate the air but remember, “Fans cool people. Not rooms. Make sure you turn them off when you leave a room but fans will add to that personal comfort,” said JCP&L Spokesperson Chris Hoenig.

Hoenig says outdoor grilling can help save you money inside. By using your grill and leaving your kitchen appliances turned off, you’re sparing the inside of your house from all that extra heat.

Tom Rostron, Rostron Premium Home Services, says to make sure you have yearly maintenance plans for your HVAC units, which can detect wasteful problem spots.

“I can’t tell you how many times we’ve gone to someone’s house, and they have a 3- and 4-year-old piece of equipment. It’s absolutely caked. The coils are covered and it just leads to the unit working a lot harder,” said Rostron.

Have a pool? Give that pump a break, say the experts. Only use it around swimming times. And finally, something as simple as raising the home thermostat a degree or two can also shave a few dollars off your monthly bill.

“If you do nothing, you’re going to see the increase. The biggest thing you can do though is take control of your energy use,” added Hoenig.