Heating a New Hampshire home: what buyers should know

How are most New Hampshire homes heated?

Oil and propane. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about 40% of New Hampshire households heated mainly with fuel oil and about 19% with propane in 2022, compared with about 4% and 5% nationally. Natural gas, found mostly in cities and larger towns, heats about 22% of homes, and electricity, including heat pumps, about 11%.

Buyers moving from areas with natural gas lines are often surprised by delivered fuel: you order oil or propane from a supplier and keep an eye on the tank.

How do I budget for heat?

• Ask the seller, through your agent, for the last 12 months of fuel deliveries or utility bills.
• Compare gallons or units used, not just dollars, since fuel prices change from year to year.
• Ask whether the home has a fuel service contract or a pre-buy plan, and whether it transfers.
• For propane, ask whether the tank is owned or leased from the supplier.

What should I check about heat at inspection?

Ask your home inspector to look at the age and condition of the furnace or boiler, the oil or propane tank and its location, the chimney or venting, and any service records. A heating contractor can follow up on anything the inspector flags. The home inspection guide covers the other New Hampshire checks, like radon and well water.

Are there rebates for heat pumps?

NHSaves, the energy efficiency program of New Hampshire's electric utilities, offers mail-in rebates on high-efficiency heat pumps for customers of Eversource, Liberty and Unitil; New Hampshire Electric Co-op members should check with the Co-op. The program says rebates are offered for a limited time while funds last and can change, so check the current terms on NHSaves before you plan around one.

Is there help with heating bills and efficiency?

Yes, in two ways. The NH Fuel Assistance Program, the state's part of the federal LIHEAP program, helps income-eligible homeowners and renters with heating costs. The NH Department of Energy runs it, and you apply through your local Community Action Agency. Funds are limited, so apply early in the heating season.

For the house itself, NHSaves programs through the state's utilities offer home energy assessments and weatherization help such as air sealing and insulation, which can lower the heating bill whatever fuel the home uses. Ask your utility what's available at your address.

How does heating fit my loan?

Your mortgage payment covers principal, interest, property taxes and insurance, not heat. That's why it's easy to leave out of a budget. Use the affordability tool for the payment, then add your heating estimate to see the full monthly cost. Moving from Massachusetts? The Massachusetts to NH guide and the moving checklist cover the other changes.