Uh oh. We got us a real feud goin' on now between Maw & Paw over this issue. Maw really, really wants to go for a generator that will at least keep the furnace running. (I forgot that the pump that circulates the hot water through the system is also electric.) Paw is really, really agin' the whole notion, but might consider gas logs in the upstairs fireplace. I'm gonna let them duke it out for awhile.

Which reminds me - there are two really pretty fireplaces in that house, neither of which were designed to throw off heat anywhere but up the chimney. Seems like that is true of a lot of fireplaces. But I understand that you can get gas logs that are configured so they will put heat out into the room.