MICROCHP - Combined heat and Power Units

Combined heat and power units. Sounds futuristic. And it is. It describes a new kind of furnace very similar to the one you use to heat your house. However, it does much more than that. It is a mini power plant for your house that can provide electricity during the winter months as well as heat your home.

Just like a coal, oil or nuclear power plant the Microchp gives off heat as it generates electricity. Instead of releasing that extra heat out into the atmosphere and rivers, like a traditional power plant, it captures the heat and uses it to heat the house. Why didn't some one think of this before?

Here are some links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroCHP
http://www.climate-energy.com/micro-chp.asp
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1114/p01s02-usec.html