if the heat only goes out for a short time, it would take a few hours for the upstairs to cool down but i have a couple space heaters I can use just to be safe. and we do use them, the land lord is too cheap to replace the bunk one in the cellar. but he's the one who pays the repairs several times a winter LITERALLY lol so it's not outta my pocket.

I remember in either 2004 or 2005 the furnace man was here 2x on xmas eve, he was NOT happy, but he had to come as it was getting smokey in here. thats the only time there's been smoke thank god! Usually it gets gunked up or a part goes on it and just kicks off and wont restart.

but if i lost power for more than a couple hours, i'd take my pets to a friends or relatives house and wait it out, one who would be on a different power grid of course.

Living here in VT, it would be a good idea for us to get a small/cheap genny.