What drives electric bills in New Hampshire
Residential electricity in New Hampshire averaged 26.8¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, up 15.2% from 23.3¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 26.6¢. The typical home here used 619 kWh a month in 2024, 28% less than the U.S. average, so a high bill usually points to the price per kWh or to one big appliance.
- Default energy service resets twice a year. Eversource changes its rate on February 1 and August 1, and the other utilities on their own schedules. A big jump on one bill is often the new rate, not more usage.
- Regional natural gas prices. New Hampshire is part of the New England power market, where gas sets the price most hours.
- Fixed customer charges. A monthly charge applies before you use any power, which makes the price per kWh look high in months when you use little.
Who supplies your power
Eversource serves most of the state. Liberty Utilities, Unitil and the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) cover the rest.
Ways to pay less in New Hampshire
- You can choose a competitive supplier, and some towns run community power programs. Compare the supplier’s price with default service, which is printed on your bill and on the Public Utilities Commission website.
- NHSaves offers rebates on heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and insulation, and free home energy audits for income-eligible homes.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $98 a month at New Hampshire prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in New Hampshire.
Shopping for a cheaper plan in New Hampshire
New Hampshire lets many homes choose who supplies their electricity. Before you switch, compare offers at your own usage, not just the advertised price: at the 619 kWh a typical home here uses, every 1¢ per kWh is worth about $74 a year. Prefer fixed-rate plans of 12 months or more, check the early cancellation fee, and note when the contract ends.
Help paying your bill in New Hampshire
- Electric Assistance Program (EAP): income-qualified customers of Eversource, Liberty, NHEC and Unitil get a monthly discount of up to about 76% on their electric bill. Apply through your local community action agency.
- Fuel Assistance Program: New Hampshire’s version of LIHEAP, also handled by community action agencies, helps with heating costs, including electric heat.
Statewide help is in addition to the federal programs, such as LIHEAP and weatherization, that the bill checker above lists. Call 211 to find the agency that handles them near you.
Is solar worth it in New Hampshire?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in New Hampshire produces roughly 8,050 kWh a year, about 100% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 26.8¢, that power is worth about $2,157 a year. What you actually save depends on your roof, the price you pay for the system, the 30% federal tax credit rules in effect when you buy, and how your utility credits the power you send to the grid. Get at least three quotes before you decide.
How New Hampshire compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 26.8¢ | 619 | $166 |
| Vermont | 24.0¢ | 574 | $137 |
| Maine | 30.0¢ | 550 | $165 |
| Massachusetts | 30.1¢ | 570 | $172 |
| U.S. average | 18.2¢ | 863 | $157 |
Price: average residential price, January–July 2026, U.S. Energy Information Administration (Electric Power Monthly, tables 5.6.A and 5.6.B). Usage: average monthly consumption per home, 2024, EIA form EIA-861. Typical bill = typical usage × current average price. Solar output is a rough estimate for a south-facing roof.