We have both a portable generator and a kerosene heater. The generator will not work with proportional thermostats, though! We bought it primarily to use with the incubator, but I will need to get an on/off thermostat to use with it.

The kerosene heater works very well to keep the snake room warm. You're right, it smells funny. But I can deal with the smell to insure that my snakes survive.

I also have a gas range in my kitchen. I can light the oven in a power outage to heat the house to about 60 degrees.

Our last power outage was during an ice storm. It lasted about 24 hours while other people in our area were without power for several days. I have no doubt that the kerosene heater saved lives in my snake room.

Steve