Black Friday: how much it will cost you to use the refrigerator after buying it

The Black Friday 2026, which will be held next 27 November, will come with discounts on household appliances that can mean significant savings at the time of purchase. However, the price shown on the label of a refrigerator does not represent everything its owner will end up paying. Unlike other appliances that are used occasionally, the refrigerator stays on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so its electricity consumption can become a significant expense over its entire useful life.

The difference between two seemingly similar models can be considerable. A refrigerator with a less efficient energy rating may be cheaper in the store, but it will require a greater amount of electricity to operate. Instead, another one with a higher initial price could offset part of that outlay through a reduction in the electricity bill. The key is to calculate how much it will cost to keep it running for five, ten or even twelve years, rather than focusing only on the announced discount.

The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) reminds that today’s refrigerators consume, on average, around 40% less electricity than those manufactured fifteen years ago, a reduction that can reach 60% in the most efficient models. However, this does not mean that any appliance with a good energy label automatically compensates for its higher price, since the final savings will depend on the difference in consumption, the cost of electricity, and the years of use.

To check this, it is enough to compare two real refrigerators with practically identical capacity, whose official consumption can be consulted in the sheets published by the manufacturer.

Two 375-liter refrigerators: how much it costs to buy them and keep them

The comparison can be made between two LG models that share a capacity of 375 liters and dimensions of 203 centimeters in height by 59.7 centimeters in width, but have different energy ratings.

The first is the LG GBBSJ20EPY, an E-class combined refrigerator that records an official electricity consumption of 263 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. Its advertised price in an offer consulted at Leroy Merlin is of 569.90 euros, not including any possible delivery and installation costs.

The second is the LG GBBS727CPY, also with 375 liters, but with an energy rating of C and an annual consumption of 175 kWh. This model was advertised on November 12 for 799 euros, compared with the 999 euros of its recommended price, in a promotion from the official LG store.

Both appliances have a similar size, although they also present differences in equipment and interior layout. Therefore, the comparison allows analyzing the economic impact of energy efficiency, but it does not mean that they are identical products in all their characteristics.

To calculate its electricity cost, a hypothetical and constant price of 0.25 euros per kWh will be used, applied equally to the two refrigerators. This is not a forecast of future electricity prices nor an official tariff, but a common assumption that allows carrying out the calculations.

Under these conditions, the E-class refrigerator would consume electricity worth 65.75 euros per year, while the C-class one would spend 43.75 euros annually. The difference is 22 euros per year, equivalent to 220 euros if both appliances maintained the same consumption over a decade.

How much would you pay in five, ten, and twelve years

The result changes when the accumulated electricity cost is added to the initial price of each refrigerator. To carry out the comparison, the consumption declared by the manufacturer is maintained and the same price of 0.25 euros per kWh is used throughout the entire period.

Indicative calculations with a constant price of 0.25 €/kWh. They do not include transport, installation, repairs, fixed costs of the bill, or future variations in the electricity price.

The initial difference between the two refrigerators is of 229.10 euros, in favor of the E-class model. During the first five years, this continues to be more economical in the combined cost of purchase and electricity, despite consuming more energy.

However, at ten years the difference is reduced to just 9.10 euros. If both refrigerators continue to operate for twelve years under the same assumptions, the C-class model would end up costing 34.90 euros less in total, despite having been quite a bit more expensive to buy.

With these prices, the highest initial outlay for the efficient appliance would be offset by the electricity savings in approximately ten years and five months.

The calculation can also change in the opposite direction. If the E-class model receives an additional discount during Black Friday or if the kWh price turns out to be lower than the one used, the period needed to make up for the difference would be extended. Conversely, if the cost of electricity increases, the savings generated by the most efficient refrigerator would also be greater.

How to check real consumption on the energy label and EPREL

Since March 2021, refrigerators sold in the European Union use an energy label with a scale from A to G, in which A identifies the most efficient models and G the least efficient. This classification replaced the former system that included categories such as A+, A++ and A+++.

However, the letter is not the only important piece of information on the label. It also shows the estimated annual consumption in kWh, which allows the appliance’s electricity cost to be calculated directly. To do so, it is enough to multiply that figure by the price of each contracted kWh.

The label also shows the capacity of the refrigeration and freezing compartments, the noise level, and a QR code that allows access to the European registry EPREL, managed by the European Commission.

This public database collects the energy characteristics of products subject to mandatory labeling and makes it possible to compare different models. The consumer can look up their rating, annual consumption, capacity, and other technical data, without relying exclusively on the commercial information from a store.

That said, the consumption indicated on the label is obtained through standardized tests and does not necessarily correspond to the exact amount the appliance will cost in each home. Factors such as ambient temperature, the selected settings, the frequency with which the doors are opened, or the location of the appliance can modify its operation.

For this reason, long-term savings calculations should be interpreted as estimates and not as a guarantee of what will be paid on the electricity bill over the coming years.

Black Friday pricing is not the only expense you need to compare

In addition to energy efficiency, there are other elements that can influence the final cost of a refrigerator. The OCU recommends installing these appliances away from sources of heat, such as radiators, ovens, or areas exposed directly to the sun, and ensuring adequate ventilation to prevent an unnecessary increase in consumption.

It is also advisable to check the dimensions of the appliance, the layout of the interior space, and the services included in the advertised price. Two apparently similar offers may show differences in the transport, installation, removal of the old refrigerator, or extension of the warranty expenses.

The consumer should also take into account that the service life of an appliance is not guaranteed for a specific number of years. Faults and repair costs can significantly alter the economic outcome of any of the compared models.

During the Black Friday campaign, the biggest discount does not always mean the lowest cost in the long term, but it should also not be assumed that buying the refrigerator with the best energy rating is necessarily the most economical option. What matters is comparing models with similar capacity and features, and calculating how much money both the purchase and electricity consumption will represent over the years the appliance is expected to be used.