We have propane and a 500 gal tank....last fill, $700, but that lasts 2-3 months. We cook with gas, heat our water and our dryer runs on gas....so actually it is fairly cheap. We are in the country tho, and if our electric goes off....we are screwed. Our well pump of course, needs electricity to provide water...and the stove is electric ignition, as is the furnace. A generator would be a good idea. If we ever got stranded out here, the only way to get to us in a snow storm would be by snowmobile. We do have a wood burning fireplace, but of course, that requires wood, which we seldom have in large quantity.

You have to buy wood in your own county due to that ash borer...they don't want you transporting wood from the more forested areas. Besides, our fireplace isn't efficient...pretty to look at but doesn't really heat the house. We would need an insert. I just wish the folks who built this place had looked more at passive solar....we have ONE south facing window! My last house had 16 south facing windows! I am in the state of light deprivation, even in summer....that is why I spend so much time outdoors in summer.

Echoes...I like the men on lyrica.....lol....good line for a t-shirt.