Hi everybody I'm new here and thought I'd check in after lurking for awhile.  Ever since I was a child I've wanted to use a internal combustion engine as a heater since most of the fuel burned get$ converted to heat; and back before condensing furnaces I was shocked at how much heat was lost thru the the flue.  I'm thrilled that other folks have the same idea and we have this forum where we can share ideas with each other on this, and other topics.  My plan is to use the engine to turn an automotive AC compressor and suck all the heat out of the fuel so that the exaust that leaves the engine room is really cold.  Overnight low temps in my area run from 25 to 45 degrees F during the heating season and I hope I can get the exaust gas at least down to 32 F or lower if I can do it without clogging the pipe with ice.  I'd like to run the engine for a few hours every night to get heat and a little free electricity as well.  Although I'm a firm believer in the KISS principle I've been left without power for as long as a week by the power Co. a few times so I can try and justify my actions as an attempt to have back-up power ready.  Maybe people will think my Rube Goldburg contraption is a practial tool and not a manifestation of mental illness?  Please don't tell on me OK?  Hi ya'all!  Leland