It’s generally accepted these days that electric vehicles are better for the environment than similar gas-powered models. Despite that, I have heard (and this very site confirms) that the most environmentally friendly option of all is to keep an existing car on the road, regardless of its power source, because a few years of emissions benefit are outweighed by the environmental impact of manufacturing any new car.
Does similar logic apply to home heating systems? I currently have a furnace that burns natural gas, and have been planning to switch to a heat pump. I want to know if I should do it ASAP or wait until the furnace fails. I’m asking purely from an environmental perspective, not taking into account things like money (e.g. the cost of gas) or comfort (e.g. the potential of not having heat for a few wintry weeks). The furnace is currently in good condition, if that makes a difference.
My searching only turned up one web page about this question, which leans towards not waiting, but it’s by an HVAC contractor, not a neutral source.
