Details on Long Term Debt (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	$ 287.2	$ 287.3	$ 287.7
Less: Current Portion	2.5	2.5	0.5
Total Long-term Debt, Less Current Portion	284.7	284.8	287.2
6.33% Notes, Due May 1, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	20.0	20.0	20.0
Unitil Energy Systems Inc \| First Mortgage Bonds 5.24% Series, Due March 2, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	15.0	15.0	15.0
Unitil Energy Systems Inc \| First Mortgage Bonds 8.49% Series, Due October 14, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	15.0	15.0	15.0
Unitil Energy Systems Inc \| First Mortgage Bonds 6.96% Series, Due September 1, 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	20.0	20.0	20.0
Unitil Energy Systems Inc \| First Mortgage Bonds 8.00% Series, Due May 1, 2031
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	15.0	15.0	15.0
Unitil Energy Systems Inc \| First Mortgage Bonds 6.32% Series, Due September 15, 2036
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	15.0	15.0	15.0
Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company \| 6.75% Notes, Due November 30, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	19.0	19.0	19.0
Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company \| 7.37% Notes, Due January 15, 2029
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	12.0	12.0	12.0
Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company \| 7.98% Notes, Due June 1, 2031
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	14.0	14.0	14.0
Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company \| 6.79% Notes, Due October 15, 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	10.0	10.0	10.0
Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company \| 5.90% Notes, Due December 15, 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt	15.0	15.0	15.0
Northern Utilities Inc \| 6.95% Senior Notes, Series A, Due December 3, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	30.0	30.0	30.0
Northern Utilities Inc \| 5.29% Senior Notes, Due March 2, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	25.0	25.0	25.0
Northern Utilities Inc \| 7.72% Senior Notes, Series B, Due December 3, 2038
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	50.0	50.0	50.0
Granite State Gas Transmission Inc \| 7.15% Senior Notes, Due December 15, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	10.0	10.0	10.0
Unitil Realty Corp \| 8.00% Senior Secured Notes, Due Through August 1, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Secured Notes	$ 2.2	$ 2.3	$ 2.7

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Amount of long-term debt, after unamortized discount or premium, scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date, including the current and noncurrent portions, of collateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower.

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Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

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