Heating costs this week in New Hampshire
All prices below are copied from two official sources and are statewide averages, not what your dealer will quote. Survey dates are shown on each row. Data last checked here: Oct 17, 2026 (ET).
EIA weekly survey: oil and propane, New Hampshire
| Fuel (residential, per gallon) | Oct 12, 2026 | Change vs week before | Change vs year before | Implied price a year before* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NH residential heating oil | $6.029 | +$0.053 | +$2.532 | $3.497 |
| NH residential propane | $3.813 | +$0.021 | +$0.381 | $3.432 |
| VT residential heating oil | $6.034 | +$0.045 | +$2.592 | $3.442 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Heating Oil and Propane Update, release dated Oct 15, 2026. EIA publishes weekly on Wednesdays after 1 p.m. ET from October through March. *Our subtraction (price minus the published year change), not an EIA figure. Vermont oil is shown only for comparison with the Vermont side of the river.
How much does 100 gallons of heating fuel cost in New Hampshire right now?
- Heating oil (EIA): about $603 for 100 gallons at EIA's NH residential average of $6.029 per gallon (survey of Oct 12, 2026).
- Heating oil (NH DOE): about $597 for 100 gallons at the NH Department of Energy average of $5.97 per gallon (survey of Oct 12, 2026).
- Propane (NH DOE): about $409 for 100 gallons at the NH Department of Energy average of $4.09 per gallon (survey of Oct 12, 2026).
- Kerosene (NH DOE): about $687 for 100 gallons at the NH Department of Energy average of $6.87 per gallon (survey of Oct 12, 2026).
- Propane (EIA): about $381 for 100 gallons at EIA's NH residential average of $3.813 per gallon (survey of Oct 12, 2026).
Our multiplication of the published statewide average by 100, rounded to the dollar; not a quote. Your dealer's price, delivery minimums, fees and discounts can differ. Source rows and survey dates are in the tables above and below.
NH Department of Energy averages, all heating fuels
| Fuel | Average price | Cost per million Btu of delivered heat | Survey date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel oil (#2) | $5.97 per gallon | $53.91 | Oct 12, 2026 |
| Propane | $4.09 per gallon | $55.97 | Oct 12, 2026 |
| Kerosene | $6.87 per gallon | $63.57 | Oct 12, 2026 |
| Natural gas (first tier, under 100 therms) | $1.26 per therm | $15.73 | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Electric resistance heat | $0.2602 per kWh | $76.26 | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Electric heat pump (agency assumes efficiency 2.5) | $0.2600 per kWh | $30.50 | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Wood, bagged pellets (per ton) | $412.36 per ton | $31.24 | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Cord wood | $458.82 per cord | $45.88 | Oct 5, 2026 |
Source: NH Department of Energy, NH Fuel Prices, read Oct 17, 2026 (ET). The agency's cost per million Btu uses the Btu content and efficiency shown on its page (oil 138,500 Btu/gal at 0.8; heat pump efficiency 2.5, which is an assumption and varies by equipment and weather). Statewide sample averages, not your local dealer's price (the agency says so on its page). Equipment, installation, maintenance, and delivery fees are not included.
Cheapest to most expensive per unit of heat (state averages)
| Natural gas (first tier, under 100 therms) | $15.73 | |
| Electric heat pump (agency assumes efficiency 2.5) | $30.50 | |
| Wood, bagged pellets (per ton) | $31.24 | |
| Cord wood | $45.88 | |
| Fuel oil (#2) | $53.91 | |
| Propane | $55.97 | |
| Kerosene | $63.57 | |
| Electric resistance heat | $76.26 |
Bar length = cost per million Btu of delivered heat from the state's table. A lower fuel price does not mean a lower total bill if your equipment or home is different. Switching systems costs money up front; ask for written quotes and check rebates on the help page.
Calculator: what would my oil use cost on other fuels?
Runs in your browser only; nothing is sent or stored. It uses the state's published cost per million Btu for each fuel (table above) and assumes your oil system delivers heat at the state's 0.8 efficiency. Real-world results vary a lot, especially for heat pumps in cold weather and for wood. This is an illustration, not a quote or a recommendation to switch.
Buying fuel: what the state says
- Pre-buy contracts. The NH Department of Energy says a pre-buy locks a price and amount; it does not drop if the market price falls; the dealer must be able to show it can pay for the fuel it contracts; read what happens to unused credit. The Department 'cannot recommend what to do in specific cases.' Source
- Know your rights. NH Attorney General guidance (Mar 6, 2025): compare will-call and automatic delivery, watch your tank level, get written terms before you sign, and do not trust a company that has not verified it can fill the pre-buy. Complaints: NH DOJ Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, 603-271-3641. Source
- Budget plans. Many dealers spread costs into equal monthly payments. The NH Department of Energy describes these as cash-flow tools; ask your dealer about fees. Source
If you cannot afford heat, see Help paying for heat.