Are the refills the same formulation?
Yes, identical to the bottles - same ingredients, same scent, just more of it.
How much cheaper is a refill?
Considerably, per wash. Five litres against the same volume in small bottles is not a close comparison, and the packaging difference is just as stark.
How do I get it out of a five-litre container?
A pump or a funnel into a smaller bottle. Some containers take a dispensing pump directly, which saves decanting altogether.
How long do they keep?
Well within the date on the container, stored cool and out of sunlight. These are stable formulations and a refill lasts most households a good while.