I think a generator is the best bet but I also have considered a radiant type heat . I have a friend that is a plumber in wyoming and this was his response. There are homebuilt systems that can be built fairly inexpensive that involve a propane or natural gas waterheater a thermostat with temp probe to cycle a pump. I fully functional system is a closed system that recirculates a liquid , usually glycol based through a piping system and back to the tank. This system requires an expansion tank also. My sugestion is as a emergency type system could be to adjust the temp on your housing waterheater to say 90-100 degrees and test it with a temp gun until your confident of the temp. Tap a small 1/4 inch copper line with a shutoff to the hot side outlet pipe. This would be a constant flow and the water will be wasted and have to drain into your sink . You could actually make a set of coils on the outer walls of a very large tub and the end of the coil will be the outlet for the water and then to a drain. So in a emergency situation you put your aniamals in tubs stack them in your large tub with internal copper coils , Adjust water temp at the thermostat on waterheater and open the water valve. The 90-100 degree water will flow from the water heater through the coils in the tub and exit to a drain. The flow should be limited so as to not deplete the waterheaters ability to reheat. Make sure you monitor temperture at the tank and tub. This is a waste of water and can be expensive on you gas bill but will work in an emergency.I hope to convert half my garage next season and add a radiant heat sustem for the floor and walls. Radiant heat is very common in very cold regions . I thnk it would be a great feature to add to the reptile room due to the lack of a fire hazard as with electric heat. The radiant heat will be used for ambient temp only. Racks will still have heat tape belly heat.

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