something anyone looking for a backup is this
http://www.residential.carrier.com/p...estandby.shtml
Its from carrier (furnace people) runs about 8-12 circuits, which is plenty to keep most of your tank equipment running and a couple of house lights. Runs on Natural Gas, so no worries about having to fill up a tank, and it is relativly quite. I'm looking at puting one in this summer provided I can convince my better half.