Guide · Updated 2026-10-08

Is a More Efficient Appliance Worth the Extra Cost?

How to work out the real cost of owning a fridge, freezer or other appliance by adding electricity to the price, with a worked example and a payback calculation.

The price on the shelf is only part of what an appliance costs. A fridge-freezer runs all day, every day, so a more efficient model that costs more to buy can be cheaper to own. The method is the same for any appliance: add the running cost over the years you keep it to the purchase price.

The formula

Running cost per year = power in kilowatts × hours used per year × price per kWh. A device that uses 60 W on average (0.06 kW) all day uses 0.06 × 24 × 365 = 526 kWh a year. At an example price of 27p per kWh, that costs about £142 a year.

A worked example: two fridge-freezers

The efficient model costs £170 more to buy but saves about £59 a year, so it pays back in about 2.9 years and saves about £303 over eight years. If you only expected to keep it for two years, the cheaper model would win. The Appliance Running Cost Comparison does this sum with your numbers.

Where to find the wattage

• The rating plate or energy label shows annual kWh for fridges, washing machines and dishwashers. Divide the yearly kWh by 8,760 hours, then multiply by 1,000, to get average watts for something that runs all day.
• A plug-in energy monitor measures real use, including standby.
• Appliances that cycle on and off, such as fridges, use less than their maximum rating.

Which appliances matter most?

Things that run constantly or for long periods matter most: fridges, freezers, dehumidifiers, desktop computers left on, and heaters. Things you use briefly, such as a toaster, matter little. An air fryer cook of 20 minutes costs about 15p at the example price, so choosing by size and features beats choosing by running cost; see the Air Fryer Capacity Finder.

The same thinking for printers

Printers show how ignoring running costs misleads: a cheap inkjet can cost over 10 pence a page in cartridges, while an ink tank printer can cost well under one penny a page. The Printer Ink and Toner Cost Comparator includes cartridge prices and page yields.

Other things to weigh

• Energy labels in the UK now use an A to G scale for most appliances; the top rating is often rare, so compare kWh per year, not just the letter.
• Reliability, warranty length and repair availability can matter more than a small saving in energy.
• Your electricity price may change, which changes how quickly a model pays back.

Frequently asked questions

How long should an appliance take to pay back? If the payback is shorter than the years you expect to keep it, the efficient model is the better buy. Many people use half the appliance's expected life as a guide.

What electricity price should I use? The unit rate on your latest bill, in pence per kWh. The example price here is not a current tariff.

Figures are examples to show the method. Prices, power ratings and tariffs change.