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Ok, you'll want to run the pump (probably 220/240V), the furnace (probably 220, maybe 110) AND the water heater (unless it's gas).

The fridge takes very little power, as does running a few lights.

While a sizable portable, gasoline powered, electric start generator like we have (purchased at Lowe's, off-season for about $500) will produce enough power, you must also consider the cost of getting a transfer switch installed. This device physically (temporarily) disconnects you from the utility electricity grid and allows the power from your generator to come into your circuit breaker box.

Without a transfer, you CANNOT run your 'embedded' appliances like a furnace or water heater -- only those you can plug in.

If you have a friend who is an electrician (or you are one yourself) you can purchase and use the following for just about $1000US +/- $200.

8500 W continuous, 10,000 W peak/start generator
240/100 V service
manual start (you pull the cord)
gasoline power (Honda or Tecumsah)
on a wheeled frame for portability
AND
The transfer circuit/hardware that allows you to run your house 'normally' from the generator.

I put 'normally' in quotes cuz you can't run it ALL on 8500 W continuous. You need to be careful about what's running, and particularly about what is starting up with big motors or current needs -- like electric heat, furnace blowers, OLD fridges, electric ranges ( only one burner, and probably NOT the oven). Micorwave never gave us a problem. And run only a few lights.

I know this set up will work for a three bedroom log home in the mountains of NC, with a 500' well (240V). We seldom lose power for more than an hour, sometimes for 6 hours, only once or twice fro more than a day. Frankly, the biggest concerns were (1) keeping the pump running so we'd have water for sanitation [it gets old getting buckets of water from the stream so you can flush a toilet] (2) power for the fridge (3) a few lights (especially for the bathroom) (4) power for the microwave and the coffee maker (5) one burner on the range and (6) hot water. We heated the home with a Woodstock soapstone wood stove. The back bedroom gets cold, but not too bad -- the ceiling fans distribute enough warm air to get the rest of the house comfy.

We don't try to run the furnace. Don't need to really. Refilling the gasoline was easy -- every time we needed more firewood, it was also time for more gasoline. If you forget, it's real obvious when you need more gas ;-)

The right set up to power a home in emergencies (some of our neighbors have it) are the propane OR diesel powered, autostart, pad-installed generators that sit next to your home and look like an over-sized boxy airconditioning unit. They MUST be 'hardwired' to your home by a qualified electrician.

Now, if you just want to be able to power the fridge, the microwave, the coffee maker, and some lights, maybe even a small electric heater or two -- just buy a portable gas generator of about 6000 - 8500 W and run rated extension cords to your devices.

Hope this helps.