Residential and small-business customers of New Jersey Natural Gas will save an average $50 in their bills in May or June as part of a one-time refund totaling $22.5 million. The utility, which serves residents in Ocean County, said Friday that the refund is the result of suppressed wholesale natural gas prices caused by ample supply and warmer weather in recent months. “As customers turn on their air conditioners and shift spending toward electricity, we are pleased to be able to provide continued price relief,” Kathleen T. Ellis, chief operating officer of NJNG, said in a statement.

The refund also includes part of a previously announced credit that was being paid out to customers from February to April. But because of warmer weather that caused lower usage, the utility only paid out part of the credit.

So far this year, NJNG said, it has provided refunds and credits totaling $73 million, or a savings of $162 on an average customer’s bill. Pressofatlanticcity.