EIA residential propane, New Hampshire
New Hampshire propane prices: $3.78 a gallon
Latest EIA residential survey, week ending 30 March 2026, the final release of the 2025-26 heating season. Weekly updates resume in October; the wholesale benchmark below is live.
One of the highest propane-heat shares in the country, served on some of the thinnest routes: cordwood and oil still compete here, natural gas reaches only a handful of southern and Upper Valley towns, and the North Country burns hard through a very long season. The state licenses the fitter, not the delivery company, so verification is per person.
Latest EIA residential propane price
Source: EIA State Heating Oil and Propane Program, New Hampshire residential series. Refreshed automatically every Tuesday in season; wholesale daily.
New Hampshire at a glance
Latest survey$3.78/gal
vs week before+1.1c
vs 4 weeks before+9.7c
vs same week last year-1%
vs US ($2.67)41% above
Among 38 surveyed states35th cheapest
500-gal fill (400 usable)$1512
Week by week, 2025-26 season
New Hampshire against the US average
Every point is an EIA survey week. This season New Hampshire ran from a low of $3.43 (3 Nov) to a high of $3.78 (30 Mar), with the US average finishing at $2.67. Against the same week a year earlier it is -1%.
$3.43
Season low
3 November 2025
$3.78
Season high
30 March 2026
$3.80
Same week last year
31 March 2025, now -1%
$0.85
Wholesale today
Mont Belvieu spot, 15 September 2026, +17c vs a month ago
Source: EIA State Heating Oil and Propane Program, residential propane, full-service delivery, published October to March. Wholesale is the Mont Belvieu, TX spot price; retail usually follows it by four to eight weeks, which makes it the best off-season signal of where New Hampshire prices are heading.
What a fill costs in New Hampshire at $3.78
Tanks fill to 80% of their stated size to leave room for expansion, so a 500-gallon tank takes about 400 gallons. The right-hand column is the difference against the same fill at the US average.
| Tank | Usable gallons | Fill at $3.78 | vs US ($2.67) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 gal | 80 gal | $302 | +$88 |
| 250 gal | 200 gal | $756 | +$221 |
| 500 gal | 400 gal | $1512 | +$442 |
| 1000 gal | 800 gal | $3024 | +$885 |
A New Hampshire home heating on propane through a typical winter burns 1,000 to 1,500 gallons, so fuel alone runs about $3780 to $5670 at this price, before tank rent or a service plan. The average is a benchmark, not a quote: enter your ZIP to ask up to three local dealers what they would charge you.
New Hampshire against its Northeast neighbours
The northern New England states (Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire) cluster near the top of the Northeast, carrying the longest cold seasons and the lowest rural route density. Pennsylvania sits lower thanks to short rail distance to Marcellus and Utica supply.
| State | Price/gal | 500-gal fill | vs US ($2.67) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $3.08 | $1233 | +15% |
| Maine | $3.52 | $1409 | +32% |
| Massachusetts | $3.65 | $1460 | +36% |
| Delaware | $3.73 | $1492 | +40% |
| Vermont | $3.73 | $1493 | +40% |
| New York | $3.75 | $1499 | +40% |
| Rhode Island | $3.76 | $1503 | +41% |
| New Hampshire | $3.78 | $1512 | +41% |
| New Jersey | $3.82 | $1528 | +43% |
| Connecticut | $4.12 | $1646 | +54% |
| Northeast average | $3.69 | $1476 | +38% |
States marked regional est. are not surveyed individually by EIA and carry their PADD regional figure. Full table on prices by state.
Why New Hampshire runs 41% over the national average
New Hampshire consistently prices in the upper cluster of US residential propane markets. The drivers are structural, not seasonal, and they will not fall back to the national average without a real shift in New England's fuel supply or heating mix.
PADD 1 distance from supply.
New Hampshire sits in PADD 1 (the East Coast) with no in-state production and no significant in-state bulk storage. Propane moves by pipeline toward the Selkirk, NY area, then by rail to New England terminals, then by truck for the last mile. Every transfer is a margin layer, and the state is far from both Gulf Coast and Marcellus supply.
High propane heat share, long season.
Roughly a fifth of New Hampshire households heat primarily with propane, one of the higher shares nationally, and the load concentrates into a long, cold heating season. The North Country (Coos, Carroll, and parts of Grafton) logs well over 8,000 heating degree days, and suppliers price for that January-February peak.
Low-density mountain routes.
Coos, Carroll, Sullivan and upper Grafton routes cover far fewer customers per mile than the I-93 corridor. Elevation, narrow roads, snow-blocked driveways and ski-country second-home seasonality all push per-gallon delivery cost above what a Manchester or Nashua route carries. That rural premium is real and persistent.
A fragmented heating mix.
New Hampshire is one of the few states where cordwood is still a meaningful primary fuel and heating oil stays common, while natural gas (Liberty Utilities) reaches only a handful of southern and Upper Valley towns such as Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Keene and Lebanon. That splits propane into a smaller, more dispersed customer base, so suppliers carry weaker economies of scale per route than in single-fuel states.
No sales tax, but light pricing oversight.
The Granite State levies no broad sales tax on deliverable fuel, a small win, but it also applies relatively light state-level pricing rules. Suppliers set their own rate per ZIP and contract type, and spreads of 30 to 50 cents a gallon within the same town are common. The countermeasure is simple: shop, in writing, every contract.
Buying propane well in New Hampshire
A good dealer is step one. In New Hampshire, the gap between a careless account and a well-run one is usually several hundred dollars a winter, and it is won in a few places.
01
Verify the fitter's OPLC licence
New Hampshire enforces the LP-Gas Code (NFPA 58) through the State Fire Marshal, and licenses the installer, not the company. Anyone touching your tank or piping needs an OPLC fuel gas fitter licence. Ask for the number and confirm it at oplc.nh.gov or on 603-271-2152.
02
Lock summer, not autumn
Wholesale propane bottoms in summer. Most New Hampshire suppliers run pre-buy or price-cap enrolment from May 1 to August 31, and locking then instead of paying winter spot rates commonly saves a 1,000-gallon household several hundred dollars. Prefer a cap-price contract so you keep the saving if winter wholesale falls, and ask whether unused gallons roll forward.
03
Quote all three supplier tiers
New Hampshire runs a genuine three-tier market: national carriers, multi-state New England regionals, and single-county family operators. In the North Country and Monadnock, the spread between the cheapest local and priciest national quote can reach 40 to 60 cents a gallon, so pull one written quote from each tier. If you own your tank, say so first: it removes the switching penalty leased-tank customers face.
04
Check Fuel Assistance eligibility
The NH Fuel Assistance Program, run by the Department of Energy through local Community Action Agencies, pays a heating benefit toward propane for households at or below 60% of NH State Median Income: for 2025-2026, about $48,713 a year for one person, $63,702 for two, $78,691 for three and $93,680 for four. Benefits run roughly $188 to $2,500 a season. Apply through your local CAA; the directory and guidance are at energy.nh.gov.
05
In the North Country, start with Stiles Fuel
The mountain counties have thin star-aggregate coverage, so there is no fair score to rank them by. Stiles Fuel of Littleton, family-owned since 1962, is one of the few North Country independents with a large, mostly positive public feedback trail (more than 1,000 Listen360 customer reviews). Treat it as a starting point for the mountain towns rather than a scored ranking.
Rated by customers
New Hampshire propane dealers worth calling first
A short, hand-checked list with strong public review scores, spread across the state. Ratings were read from the platforms named in August 2026 and move over time; a high score is where to start, not a guarantee. Get three written quotes whoever you call.
Southern NH, Seacoast & Merrimack Valley
Palmer Gas & Oil
Atkinson, New Hampshire
4.6895 reviews, Birdeye
Family-owned for 90+ years, serving Rockingham, Hillsborough and Strafford counties plus northern Massachusetts and southern Maine. Accredited A+ with the BBB and a repeat local Best of Business winner.
See the reviews ›Souhegan Valley & Monadnock Region
Ciardelli Fuel Company
Milford, New Hampshire
4.4198 reviews, Chamber of Commerce
Family-owned since 1957 with offices in Milford, Keene, Henniker and Peterborough. Propane, heating oil and 24/7 emergency service across the Souhegan Valley and Monadnock towns. A+ with the BBB.
See the reviews ›Lakes Region, Belknap County
Stafford Oil & Propane
Laconia, New Hampshire
4.152 reviews, Birdeye
Serving the greater Lakes Region since 1928, with fuel delivery plus HVAC install and service. Reviewers cite responsive technicians, fair billing and pre-buy pricing around Laconia and Gilford.
See the reviews ›New Hampshire propane, the questions people ask
Does this page list every propane dealer in New Hampshire?
Not yet. Several states we cover carry a full license-verified dealer directory pulled from a state regulator's public dataset. New Hampshire does not publish a per-dealer LP-gas company registry: the state licenses individual fuel gas fitters through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), not dealer businesses. Rather than invent a directory, this page leads with a short, hand-checked shortlist of genuinely well-reviewed dealers across the main regions, with real review scores read from named public platforms. To find every dealer near a specific address, use the ZIP finder at /propane-prices-near-me/ or the supplier directory at /supplier/, then confirm the installer's OPLC licence before you sign.
How do I verify a New Hampshire propane installer is licensed?
New Hampshire enforces the LP-Gas Code through the State Fire Marshal's Office (NH Department of Safety, Division of Fire Safety), which has adopted NFPA 58, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, by reference. Anyone installing or servicing residential propane appliances and piping in NH must hold a fuel gas fitter licence issued by the OPLC Mechanical Safety and Licensing Board (categories run Trainee, Installation, Service, Piping and Domestic Appliance). Because NH licenses the fitter, not the delivery company, verification is per person: ask for the technician's OPLC fuel gas fitter licence number and confirm it at oplc.nh.gov, or call OPLC on 603-271-2152. The Propane Gas Association of New England (PGANE) also publishes a regional member directory that is a useful credibility cross-check. If a technician cannot produce a valid NH fuel gas fitter licence number, do not let them touch your tank or appliances.
Am I eligible for the New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Program?
The Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) is New Hampshire's LIHEAP-funded heating help. It is administered by the NH Department of Energy and delivered on the ground by your local Community Action Agency (CAA). FAP covers propane, heating oil, kerosene, wood, pellets, electricity and natural gas, and the benefit is paid directly to your supplier. Eligibility is set at 60% of the New Hampshire State Median Income. For the 2025-2026 program year (guidelines updated 28 May 2026), the annual gross income limits are about $48,713 for a household of one, $63,702 for two, $78,691 for three and $93,680 for four, rising with each additional person. Season benefits run roughly $188 to $2,500 depending on income, household size and fuel costs. Households already receiving TANF, SNAP or SSI are generally categorically eligible. Deliverable-fuel benefits apply to deliveries from October 1 to April 30. Apply through your local Community Action Agency; find the CAA directory and full guidance at energy.nh.gov.
Why is propane so expensive in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire sits in PADD 1 (the East Coast) and is roughly 1,800 miles from Gulf Coast propane and several hundred from the Marcellus and Utica supply in Pennsylvania and Ohio. There is no in-state propane production and no significant in-state bulk storage, so supply moves by pipeline to the Selkirk, NY area, then by rail to New England terminals, then by truck for the last mile. On the demand side, roughly a fifth of NH households heat primarily with propane, one of the higher shares in the country, and the load concentrates into a long, cold heating season. The current EIA average for New Hampshire is $3.78 a gallon against $2.67 nationally and $3.69 for the Northeast region, about 41% above the national mark.
When should New Hampshire homeowners pre-buy or lock in propane?
May through August is the strongest window. Wholesale propane bottoms out in summer when heating demand is near zero, and most NH suppliers run pre-buy or price-cap enrollment between May 1 and August 31. For a 1,000-gallon NH household, locking summer pricing rather than paying winter spot rates commonly saves several hundred dollars a season. Read the contract type: a cap-price contract lets you keep the savings if winter wholesale falls, while a strict pre-buy fixes the gallons and price in both directions. Ask whether unused pre-paid gallons roll into the next season, and top the tank to 80% by mid-October before the first hard cold snap.
Why do ski country and lake second homes pay more for propane in NH?
White Mountain ski towns (Lincoln, Conway, Jackson, Bretton Woods) and the Lakes Region second-home belt around Winnipesaukee pay a structural premium for three reasons. Route density is low: a truck serving those areas covers far fewer customers per mile than a Manchester or Nashua route. Second-home usage is spiky: many homes sit empty midweek and burn hard on weekends and holidays, so tanks drain in bursts and refills cluster. And peak weeks (Christmas, MLK, Presidents week, ski-school weeks) can drain a condo tank in days. Suppliers with automatic delivery and usage-prediction typically charge a few tenths of a dollar per gallon above their year-round rate for that coverage. For owner-managed second homes, the cheapest path is usually owning the tank, joining a summer pre-buy, and topping up before the first ski weekend.
How do I switch propane suppliers in NH without losing my tank?
Most NH households rent their tank from their current supplier, which legally restricts who can fill it. To switch without buying the tank out, the new supplier arranges a swap-out: they notify the old supplier, coordinate a pump-out at that supplier's buy-back rate (often below market), remove the old tank and set their own, usually within one to three weeks. If you own your tank outright, any licensed NH supplier can fill it, which is the strongest pricing leverage in the state, and it matters most in low-density mountain routes where the spread between quotes is widest. A new 500-gallon above-ground tank runs roughly $1,500 to $3,500 installed. Always confirm the installer's OPLC fuel gas fitter licence before signing.
Should I switch from cordwood or heating oil to propane in New Hampshire?
Not automatically. NH is one of the few states where cordwood is still a meaningful primary heat source, and heating oil remains common. On a per-million-BTU basis, seasoned cordwood is usually the cheapest of the three, heating oil sits in the middle, and propane at $3.78 a gallon is the priciest per BTU but wins on cleanliness (no soot or chimney sweeping), appliance flexibility (range, dryer, generator, on-demand water heater), automation and indoor air quality. Conversion is a real cost: a new propane boiler or furnace plus tank install typically runs several thousand dollars. Switch when your existing oil system is near end of life, when you want propane for non-heating uses, or when you are done hauling logs. Compare the per-BTU math on /propane-vs-heating-oil.
Keep reading
All New Hampshire dealers
New Hampshire propane dealers by city and ZIP.
Dealers near you
Enter a ZIP to see the closest dealers and ask up to three for a price.
Propane prices today
The daily wholesale benchmark and the live state summer surveys.
Prices by state
All 50 states side by side, with regional context.
What a fill costs
Tank sizes, the 80% rule and the national refill guide.
How to pay less
Pre-buy timing, switching, owned versus leased tanks.
Propane vs heating oil
Per-BTU economics and conversion costs for NH homes weighing oil, wood and propane.
Maine propane price
Maine sits in the same high-Northeast cluster. Full breakdown and pre-buy strategy.