When obtaining oxygen away from your home, it’s critical to have a portable oxygen concentrator. Thankfully, the majority of portable oxygen concentrators available for purchase have powerful batteries that can last up to seven years overall and can deliver oxygen for several hours.
How long the oxygen tank will last will depend on its size. The oxygen tank has a lifespan of roughly 5 hours, 8 minutes.
Portable Oxygen Concentrator Lifespan
Oxygen concentrators have a lifespan of four to seven years, and in some cases even longer, depending on how they are used and maintained. Only the filter needs to be cleaned once a month on a typical portable oxygen concentrator, which requires little other maintenance.
5L Portable Oxygen Concentrator
A 5L oxygen cylinder can provide 5 liters of oxygen in a minute, enough for patients with mild symptoms and basic requirements. They are suitable for travel because of their lighter weight, mobility, and low energy consumption.
10L Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Because of its greater capacity, it performs better as a continuous flow option for portable oxygen concentrators. For hospitalized patients with COVID19, acute respiratory illness, or both, concentrators with higher outputs of at least 10 LPM may be preferable due to their fluctuating needs.
Factors That Affect the Lifespan of Portable O2 Concentrators
In order to deliver consistent, pure, and concentrated oxygen, portable oxygen concentrators draw air from their surroundings. Concentrators are designed for continuous operation and can produce oxygen 24 hours, seven days per week. They can run for up to five years or more with minimal repair and maintenance.
You must take into account these four elements because they shorten the life of portable oxygen concentrators.
Relative Humidity
You and your portable oxygen concentrator will benefit from weather conditions with relative humidity ranging from 35 to 50% and temperatures ranging from 40 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Use humidifiers and dehumidifiers as required.
Furthermore, moisture and humidity have the potential to harm your oxygen concentrator. Because they are not waterproof, keep your portable oxygen concentrators in a dry place. Protect your device from splashes, sand, and immersion if you’re going to the beach or a swimming pool.
Temperature
It’s important to understand how your oxygen concentrator operates because summer’s higher temperatures may pose a challenge. To find out the lowest and highest temperatures your equipment can withstand, take some time to read your owner’s manual.
Cleanliness
The nasal cannula and filters on your oxygen concentrator will clog more quickly if you use it in a dusty environment, lowering the purity of the oxygen it produces and making the device break down. The manufacturer’s instructions and good clinical practice should be followed when performing cleaning and disinfection procedures.
It might be very difficult and expensive to replace the internal, non-removable concentrator filters if this clogs them. Excessive dust necessitates cleaning and replacing external filters much more frequently than is normally necessary if you have replaceable external filters.
Overall, a dusty environment is detrimental to the health of your oxygen concentrator machine, reducing both its lifespan and its ability to function effectively.
Mold, fungus, and bacteria can all grow well in moist environments with water. To help prevent such issues, you should increase how frequently your machine is cleaned.
Usage Frequency
Remember that portable oxygen concentrators function best when used frequently if you plan to use them primarily for travel and not every day activities. The most frequent cause of issues requiring maintenance service is prolonged storage.
Similar to how sitting still can shorten a car’s lifespan, so can a portable oxygen concentrator. It will last longer if you use it frequently and don’t leave it sitting around unusable, like most rechargeable and battery-powered oxygen machines.
How to Maintain Your POC to Make It Last Longer
Your portable oxygen concentrator will last longer if it is properly maintained. Therefore, the machine’s exterior needs to be well-maintained. Regular exterior cleaning helps avoid the air vents being drawn with dirt and grime, which can lower performance and lifespan. Additionally, when traveling, pack the device safely and securely in your travel bag to prevent damage.
Run the battery completely flat once every three months, then fully recharge it before the next use to help extend battery life.
When Should POC Service Be Done?
Many problems with portable oxygen concentrators can be fixed by the user themselves. If your oxygen flow is inadequate, check your filters, tubing, and cannula for damage. You can always call a service technician to look over your machine if the problem continues or you experience other problems. However, there are some situations where buying a new oxygen concentrator might be less expensive than having one fixed.
Can a POC Be Used All the Time?
Like most machines, portable oxygen concentrators require a cooling period to avoid overheating and damage. A time when you don’t use your portable oxygen concentrator should be set aside. Disconnect the batteries from the plug. Place your POC in a cool location. Never leave your POC in a hot car, and stay away from heat sources like fireplaces and space heaters.
Conclusion
When a portable oxygen concentrator needs to be replaced, the majority of medical supply stores have them available for your oxygen therapy. From the comfort of your own home, you can also conduct an online search for a new unit.
FAQs
How Many Hours Does Portable Oxygen Tank Last?
With a 5–6 hour lifespan, portable “E” oxygen tanks will not last long if used continuously. You could purchase a pulse dose regulator if you require continuous oxygen to prolong the life of your tank, but you will probably still need to replace your tanks every other day. Pressured oxygen poses a fire risk.
How Long Do Portable Oxygen Last?
On a fully charged, rechargeable battery, the majority of portable oxygen concentrator models operate for two to five hours.
How Long Will a Small Oxygen Tank Last on 2 Liters?
It would take an E cylinder about 5 hours to run continuously at 2 liters per minute. The D cylinder, which is the smallest available, would last roughly three hours of continuous use at a flow rate of two liters per minute.