Utilities, broadband and working from home in New Hampshire

Why check utilities address by address?

A town-level answer isn’t enough. Internet technology, town water versus a well, and who plows the road can all differ between neighbors. Ask the sellers what they use and confirm with each provider for the exact address.

How do electricity and heat work?

• Your electric utility depends on location; the NH Public Utilities Commission lists them and explains supplier choice.
• Delivery and supply appear separately on the bill. Changing supplier doesn’t change who maintains the lines.
• Many homes heat with oil or propane, especially where natural gas isn’t available. See heating a New Hampshire home.
• Ask the seller for a year of actual usage rather than estimating from square footage.

What if the home has a well and septic?

Town water and sewer are available in the cities and larger towns. Elsewhere, private wells and septic systems are normal and work well, but they are systems you own.

Follow NH DES guidance on well water testing, and have the septic system located, inspected and its capacity checked against the number of bedrooms during your inspection period. NH DES keeps septic records you can request.

Well and septic questions are property-specific. Use a licensed inspector and the NH DES record for the property.

How do I check internet service at an address?

• Look up the address on the FCC National Broadband Map, then confirm with each provider what is actually available—fiber, cable, fixed wireless or satellite.
• Ask the sellers which provider they use and what speeds they get.
• Mobile coverage can be uneven in the mountains and the North Country. Check your carrier’s map and test it on a visit.
• The NH Office of Broadband Initiatives publishes information on areas where service is still being built out.

Can I work from home reliably?

• Check upload speed, not just download—video calls and file uploads depend on it.
• Ask about installation lead times; a new line to a rural home can take weeks.
• Consider a backup: a mobile hotspot from a carrier with good coverage at the house.
• Plan for outages. A generator or battery backup keeps your router, heat and well pump running.
• If you will still travel to an office, see our commuting guide.

What does the town handle?

• Many towns use a transfer station with a resident permit or sticker instead of curbside pickup. Ask the town clerk.
• Confirm who maintains and plows the road, and whether there’s a road association fee.
• Ask about permits before adding a generator, changing a driveway or building an outbuilding.