I use 'Acronis True Image'with a desktop and an external drive. The Acronis 'Secure Zone'(backup) is on the external. In fact, had some problems today and restored my entire drive in about 20 minutes. You can use Acronis 'Snap Restore' which will allow you to start using the drive while it is backing up (backs up critical system files while you're working). It's not free but the time it has saved me in restoring my PC was well worth the price. Witz You can buy it online or 'box'version at one of the major stores. Here is a link that might be useful: Acronis True Image 10

We have a lot of fuel and heating customers with seasonal camps and vacation homes. Your issues are a classic example of why I don't recommend power-venters in seasonal homes unless someone is around to check on them. With a chimney you have a large margin of error and no potential points of mechanical or electronic failure. With chimneys there are no issues caused by wind currents, poor burner setup or snow levels. Plus they're never installed under decks, under windows or hidden in the bushes. The soot issue might simply be a boiler and burner setup issue. The power venter is effectively an artificial mechanical/electronic chimney. While power-venters are functional, they can't overcome poor oil filtration, poor boiler/piping design, poor burner setup and they're no replacement for qualified professional technicians that know how to use their electronic combustion test equipment. Replacing a 4 year old burner sounds fishy. What brand and model of boiler and burner do you have? Does the boiler have a tankless coil that produces hot water? Do you have a two-line oil system or a single line system with a Tiger-Loop?(With a 2-line system you're constantly circulating cold oil through the lines, filter(s) and strainer) Do you have a decent spin-on .10 micron oil filter? Is the boiler oversized (short cycling)? Pictures of the boiler and piping would help if you have any from a few angles. Concerning safety monitoring devices, I know of freeze alarms, water alarms, low fuel alarms and smoke detectors that dial out to telephone numbers in the event of a problem, but I guess you'd be looking for a smoke detector with relay that would kill the power to the burner.

Favorite things? Wow, so many... Some of the top ones off the top of my head:  Staying organized. Taking notes, reminders (don't miss birthdays, anniversaries, income tax deadlines, bills due, etc.  Surfing, forums, etc.  Research & learning. I like learning new things and it's perfect for that. Also don't need phone books anymore - less clutter. Also can look for events, lodging, etc when I'm going to be traveling.  Keeping up on the weather and breaking news. Watch radar and track storms. Get the data needed to do my forecasts.  Check gas prices (saves money)  Check store ads. (saves money driving, saves the cost of a newspaper)  Online bill payment. (saves $25-$30/yr in postage & expenses.)  Email  Faxing  Document creation - no more liquid paper. Keeps things more organized too and less paper clutter.  and yes a few games occasionally. I use my computer a lot. It's my command center.

I can't help with the solar and battery issues except to wonder how much extra it is to replace a roof with the solar. I have also worried about people steeling the panels. However I certainly have opinions on the generator side. First, you appear to only need a small generator. A regular gasoline generator like I have IS noisy. I think propane or natural gas wouldn't make a difference. My generator is 7000 watts. Most of these portables are 5 or 7000 watt units. I am in the country on a well with regular HVAC downstairs and a heat pump upstairs. When using my 7000 watt unit, I can run one of those heat sources or AC if needed but if one had only a single unit drawing more power, I doubt even 7000 watts would work for AC. But you don't need any of that and could run everything you need on 5000 watts easy. I had an electrician readjust breakers in the panel so that an Interlock breaker set could be added Instead of adding a Transfer switch that is far more expensive and partially inconvenient. The Interlock is a manual breaker that I must throw to disconnect the main line so the generator can't feed it and instead goes to the house wiring only. A transfer Switch box does this automatically which is nice but it only allows the specific added wiring in the Transfer box to be working. If the electrician doesn't wire in a basement or attic light or almost any suddenly needed circuit, you won't have it. With interlock, I have access to all circuits without all the transfer wiring cost. I just can't let everything run at once. I just shut down unneeded heavy loads while I am switching the Interlock Breaker. I have had my unit for about 12 years. I have had some issues but I am handy. I have changed the oil several times and unfortunately had a failure of a voltage regulator during a potential long outage that fortunately was only about 12 hours. I have been casual about starting the generator monthly and doubt my inattention has caused me extra trouble. Re noise: I hear that there are new 'generators' that are quieter. They are called 'Inverters'. They are more expensive or less powerful, but again, you don't need much. If you did go the portable Generator route: COSTCO is selling a multi option unit with electric or manual pull start that uses gasoline or Gas. I don't recall if the gas was propane or natural gas or maybe both. Very inexpensive too. My unit is a Briggs & Stratton Powerboss (no longer made) with a B&S generator and a real Honda engine that was $900 at COSTCO 12 years ago. This one is a Chinese unit for ~$750 today. I have no idea of life range.