i'm more of a outdoor problem "survival" person but a home generator to power our natural gas furnace fan and a light or two is something that crosses my mind every time i'm in a Big Box store buying a couple 2x4's or a can or paint.at sub zero temps it would not take long to freeze us out but running the furnace enough to keep the place in the 50's would be good enough and save on gas.the only thing that keeps me from walking out with one is that a generator with the power to start a fan motor is sort of spendy.keeping the fan running is not the problem.i have had the furnace pilot light go out a couple times but a restart is no hassle..that seems to happen on a really cold AM when every furnace in Minneapolis kicks in at 6:00 and the pressure drops..but i digress---yes,a generator would be a good idea for short term --less than a week--use..