Utility Bills
Dispute overcharges on electricity, gas, water, and waste utility bills across all US states. Free complaint letter templates and Public Utilities Commission listings.
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What is a utility bill dispute?
A utility bill dispute is a formal complaint about an incorrect, excessive, or unexplained charge on your electricity, gas, water, or waste services bill. In the US, Public Utilities Commissions (PUCs) in each state regulate utility companies and provide a formal dispute resolution process.
Common utility billing disputes
Most states prohibit utility shutoffs during extreme weather, for certain vulnerable customers, or without proper notice. Your state PUC can order service restoration if a shutoff was improper.
Steps to dispute a utility bill
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Contact your utility company’s customer service first
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Request a billing review and meter test if needed
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File a formal written complaint with the utility company
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If unresolved, escalate to your state Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
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Keep all records: bills, correspondence, and meter readings
Utility Bills in New Hampshire
Disputing utility bills in New Hampshire can be a common concern for consumers facing unexpected charges, service interruptions, or billing errors. Whether it’s an issue with your electric, natural gas, or water bill, understanding your rights is crucial. New Hampshire law provides clear protections for utility customers, ensuring fair practices and offering avenues for resolving disputes. Don’t let billing discrepancies go unchallenged; learn how to effectively dispute your utility bills and ensure accurate charges.
New Hampshire’s utility bill regulations are primarily governed by the New Hampshire Revised Statutes (RSA) Title XXXIV, Chapter 365, which specifically addresses complaints against public utilities. RSA 365:1 (2024) allows any person to make a complaint to the Department of Energy regarding utility services. Additionally, RSA 374-F:7 (2024) outlines regulations for competitive energy suppliers, ensuring oversight even for non-utility providers. Recent cases, such as CPT 2023-002 (December 14, 2023) and CPT 2024-005 (May 24, 2024) against Eversource, highlight the ongoing regulatory scrutiny of utility billing practices in New Hampshire. These laws ensure that consumers have recourse when facing unfair utility charges.
The New Hampshire Department of Energy (NHDOE) is the primary state agency responsible for regulating public utilities and handling consumer complaints related to utility bills. You can contact their Consumer Services Division at 1-800-852-3793. The NHDOE provides an online portal for filing complaints at https://www.energy.nh.gov/consumers/file-complaint, and detailed complaint filing instructions are available at https://www.energy.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt551/files/inline-documents/sonh/nhdoe-complaint-filing-instructions.pdf. Before filing a formal complaint with the NHDOE, residential utility customers are generally required to exhaust remedies under the Puc 1200 rules, which involve attempting to resolve the issue directly with the utility company. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office can also provide general consumer protection guidance.
To dispute a utility bill in New Hampshire, first contact your utility provider directly to explain the issue and attempt to resolve it. Document all communications, including dates, times, and names of representatives. If the issue remains unresolved, gather all relevant documentation, such as billing statements and correspondence, and file a formal complaint with the New Hampshire Department of Energy. Most disputes are typically resolved within 30 to 60 days, depending on the complexity and the responsiveness of the parties involved. Use the petition generator above to create a formal complaint letter in under two minutes.