The effect of repair and lifetime extension on the environmental performance of energy-using products. Application to electric water kettles

Abstract

This study evaluates the environmental impacts of extending the lifetime of electric kettles through repair strategies by means of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. A total of 2640 scenarios were analysed, each considering six variables: material composition, usage intensity, year of failure, failure management, lifetime extension, and end-of-life (EoL) management. The results demonstrate that extending kettle lifetimes through repair can reduce the total environmental impact by up to 35 %, particularly in scenarios where low-energy use is combined with maximum lifetime extension. The use phase contributed the most to the environmental impact, accounting for 48–64 % of the total in most scenarios, driven primarily by energy consumption during kettle operation. In contrast, material composition and EoL management had a smaller effect, representing only 5–10 % of the impact. Repairs focused on lime descaling were the most effective, reducing the environmental burden by up to 20 %, while repairs involving component replacement were less impactful in this regard. These findings underscore the potential of repair strategies to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of household appliances. Policymakers should prioritise repairability in product design and promote consumer awareness to extend product lifetimes and achieve lower environmental impacts.