New England's winter electric supply prices are being set right now, and the good news is that September is the ideal month to get ahead of the season. Whether you live in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Rhode Island, there are concrete steps you can take this week to keep your home comfortable and your bills manageable.
Let's walk through what regulators have decided in each state, then get into the practical wins available to you today.
New Hampshire: Eversource's Default Rate Is Set
The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission approved Eversource's default energy service rate of 14.009 cents per kWh, running Aug 1, 2026 through Jan 31, 2027. That's up 23.94% from the previous 11.303 cents.
Worth noting: Eversource had originally asked for roughly 15 cents to recover about $38 million in under-collections, so the approved figure came in below the request. For most Granite Staters, the practical effect is $6 to $18 more per month as the three investor-owned utilities and the Community Power Coalition of NH adjusted their supply rates.
If you're in New Hampshire, this is a great moment to look at your usage rather than just your rate. Trimming kilowatt-hours is the surest way to soften any increase.
Rhode Island: A Proposed Last Resort Service Rate
Rhode Island Energy has proposed a residential Last Resort Service supply rate of 17.029 cents per kWh for Oct 1, 2026 through Mar 31, 2027. That's about 15% above last winter and a step up from the 11.092 cents in effect this summer.
Here's what that means in plain numbers: a household using 500 kWh a month would go from about $144 to $175. The proposal is still pending Rhode Island PUC approval, and these rates adjust every six months, on April 1 and October 1.
Because the change hasn't been finalized, Rhode Island homeowners have a little runway to prepare before October 1 arrives.
Massachusetts: The Seasonal Heat Pump Rate Returns
Good news for Massachusetts heat pump owners. The seasonal heat pump electric rate from Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil returns Nov 1 through Apr 30 for enrolled heat pump households.
If you have a heat pump and heat electrically through the winter, this is the single most valuable box to check right now. Confirm your enrollment so the seasonal rate applies from day one of the heating season.
What You Can Do This September
Rates are largely out of your hands, but efficiency isn't. Here's where homeowners across all three states can make real progress before the cold sets in.
1. Book a home energy assessment
This is the best free tool available, and it's the front door to insulation and heating rebates.
- Massachusetts: Mass Save offers a no-cost home energy assessment, the entry point to insulation, air sealing, and heating-system rebates before winter.
- New Hampshire: NHSaves offers no-cost energy assessments to electric and natural gas customers.
- Rhode Island: the EnergyWise assessment is offered at no cost.
2. Weatherize before the cold
Air sealing and insulation are the highest-return upgrades most homes can make. Every draft you close is energy you won't pay for at winter rates. An assessment will pinpoint exactly where your home is losing heat, so you're spending on the changes that matter most.
3. Schedule your heating tune-up
Annual professional maintenance keeps your system running efficiently and reliably. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends annual professional maintenance for furnaces and boilers, plus seasonal filter changes. September is early enough to book before the fall rush.
4. Ask about bill support and budget billing
Many utilities offer budget billing, which spreads your costs evenly across the year so winter spikes don't land all at once. Ask your utility what support programs and payment options you qualify for.
5. Confirm your heat pump rate enrollment
Massachusetts heat pump households, this one's for you. With the seasonal rate returning Nov 1, verify your enrollment now so you're set the moment the heating season begins.
Finding the Right Pros for the Work
Insulation, air sealing, and heat pump work all go smoother with an experienced local contractor. Tavlee (tavlee.com) is a free directory where homeowners find insulation, heating, and heat pump contractors, with cited reviews and registry-verified licenses. It's an easy way to shortlist and research great local pros before you book.
In Massachusetts, you can also confirm any trade credential in a minute using the state's own tools, like the check a professional license how-to. New Hampshire's OPLC License Lookup and Rhode Island's CRLB registration lookup do the same job. Think of it as a quick confidence-builder before the crew shows up.
The Bottom Line
Winter supply rates are climbing in parts of New England, but the levers that matter most are the ones you control. Here's your September checklist:
- Book your no-cost energy assessment (Mass Save, NHSaves, or EnergyWise).
- Weatherize where the assessment points you.
- Schedule the heating tune-up before the fall rush.
- Ask your utility about budget billing and support.
- Massachusetts heat pump owners: confirm seasonal rate enrollment.
Do a few of these this month and you'll head into winter with a tighter, more efficient home, no matter where the final rates land.
