New Hampshire Utilities and Service Costs

Utilities and service costs in the state of New Hampshire may vary by region and town, but if you’re trying to gauge a high-level overview of the possible ranges, read the article below.

New Hampshire Fuel Prices

The New Hampshire Department of Energy monitors residential retail prices for heating oil and propane to determine the average prices for these fuels in New Hampshire. You can find a full break on their website, updated monthly, including conversion efficiency data. The following was pulled from their website in September 2025:

Propane Current Average Price is $4.00/ Gallon
Fuel Oil (#2) Current Average Price is $3.59/ Gallon
Cord Wood Average Price is $438.71
Electricity Heat Pump Current Average Price is $0.23 kwh

New Hampshire Electricity Rates

The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission lists regulated residential electric rates by cost per Megawatt-hour (MWh) for Eversource, Liberty and Unitil. According to their website the typical residential consumer consumes between .60 and .65 MWh per month. Based on the usage rate, monthly electricity costs range from $134 to $160.

New Hampshire Water and Sewer Costs

Water
New Hampshire households receive water either through municipal systems or private wells. According to the NH Department of Energy, about 46% of residents statewide rely on wells.

For those connected to a municipal system, water bills generally include two charges:

• Fixed customer charge – a base fee applied each billing cycle.
• Consumption charge – a variable fee based on water usage, measured by periodic meter readings (monthly or quarterly, depending on the town).

Sewer and Septic
In New Hampshire, the Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) estimates that about 60% of homes are served by private septic systems**. In the Sunapee Region, that percentage is likely higher due to the rural character of the area.

Town Sewer
In the Lake Sunapee Region, sewer billing varies by community:

• Flat-rate systems: Towns like Sunapee charge a fixed fee regardless of water use. For example, the sewer usage fee per equivalent single unit is $580 annually.
• Meter-based systems: Towns such as New London and Springfield bill based on water consumption, as measured by a water meter.

Private Septic Systems
Homes on private septic systems do not have monthly or annual sewer fees (unless the property is part of a homeowners’ association with shared community water and sewer). However, there are maintenance costs to keep the system functioning properly. Most systems should be pumped every three years, though frequency can vary depending on the size and age of the system, the number of people in the household, and any local ordinances.

Septic pumping in New Hampshire typically costs $290 to $560, with most homeowners paying around $350 for a standard residential tank. Larger systems or those requiring extra work may cost more.

 

**Data retrieved on September 27, 2025 from: https://www.des.nh.gov/news-and-media/blog/september-2019-its-septic-smart-week-time-get-pumped-new-hampshire