The Do's and Don'ts of Oxygen Concentrators

The Do’s and Don’ts of Oxygen Concentrators

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Once you’ve selected your portable concentrator or stationary concentrator, there are a few safety and maintenance tips you should be aware of. The following is a list of some of the most important do’s and don’ts you’ll want to keep in mind. Of course, this is just a reference and you shouldn’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have!

DO…

1. DO Change the Filter Yearly

Many concentrators have what’s called a “gross particle filter” that will need to be changed once a year on average. After a year, the filter will start to get worn out and won’t be able to do its job properly. The gross particle filter is an imperative function within the oxygen concentrator; it catches the dirt, dust, and other particles so you won’t be breathing in unclean oxygen. Keeping your filter clean will also help ensure these particles won’t start to jam up the inner workings of the concentrator.

2. DO Change the Cannula at Least Once Every Month

Even though you should wash your cannula at least once a week, it will begin to degrade over time. A well-used cannula over 1 month old may be at risk for falling apart and the small pores and cracks formed in the rubber can begin to hold bacteria making oxygen delivery unclean and potentially harmful.

3. DO Run Your POC at Least 4 Hours Each Month

Even if you don’t need to use your unit this often, or if you only use it for travel, you should run your portable oxygen concentrator for at least 4 hours each month. An oxygen concentrator is similar to a car in that letting it sit without running will actually harm it. Just like most electronics with a rechargeable battery, it can actually prolong its life to run it consistently and not let it sit unused. If you generally just use your stationary concentrator at home, use your portable unit one day out of the month for at least 4 hours.

4. DO Completely Drain Your Batteries at Least Once a Month

Using a battery until there is no more power left will actually prolong the life of your portable oxygen concentrator’s rechargeable batteries, whether they are internal or external. Charge up your batteries 100% of the way full and then let them completely die. You shouldn’t do this all the time, but doing it once a month will be enough to keep your batteries in top shape for as long as possible.

5. DO Treat Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator the Same Way You Would a Laptop Computer

Laptop batteries and their general portability make them very similar to portable oxygen concentrators. Try to keep the unit clean so dirt or dust cannot enter the machine and cause problems. You have to keep them dry and free of any moisture build-up. Even a few drops inside of a laptop will cause serious damage. If possible; keep the unit in its protective case.

6. DO Call Us If You Have Any Questions!

You can call our number at 1-877-303-9289 to talk to one of our service members. They will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding your oxygen concentrator. You can also click here to receive a FREE Oxygen Consultation!

DO NOT…

1. DON’T Leave Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator in a Hot Car

Whether it’s in use or not, you should never let your portable oxygen concentrator get overheated, or you risk serious damage to the inner and outer parts. Aside from cars, you should be sure to store your concentrator in places that will not become too hot. Your concentrator’s manual will specify a maximum storage temperature, as well as a maximum operational temperature.

2. DON’T Get Your Oxygen Concentrator Wet

If you’re outside and it starts to rain, your portable oxygen concentrator’s protective carry case will protect it from rain drops while you can seek shelter. Just like any other electronic, it doesn’t mix well with any kind of moisture and should be avoided at all costs.

3. DON’T Run the Concentrator Without Using It (This Does Not Apply to Continuous Flow)

Your pulse dose oxygen concentrator releases a “bolus” or puff of oxygen according to your breath rate. It actively seeks and senses your breathing through the air pressure of your inhale, and that’s when it knows to release a bolus. This means the concentrator’s sensors are extremely sensitive. If you’re not there breathing and telling it when to release, it will begin to run down the battery on the concentrator much quicker.

4. DON’T Leave your Oxygen Concentrator in a Small Space

A running oxygen concentrator can quickly deplete the oxygen in a small space, which will quickly become dangerous to you, and any other people or animals with you. You should also avoid placing a concentrator directly next to something, just like we mentioned previously, you’ll want to avoid overheating the unit at all costs. Always make sure there is at least 10 inches of open space around the concentrator while it’s running.

5. DON’T Smoke Around an Oxygen Concentrator

This is can potentially be very dangerous and in more severe cases fatal. You should never smoke while using an oxygen concentrator and you should always stay at least 8 feet away from others who are smoking. A spark can quickly become a flame when fed by pure oxygen. If a small hot ash from a cigarette were to land on a surface, and come in contact with the oxygen from your concentrator or even out of your cannula, it has the potential to go out of control very quickly.

6. DON’T Leave your Questions Unanswered

One thing you should definitely never do is sit and wonder what you should do in any situation involving your oxygen concentrator. Your oxygen concentrator is one of the most important pieces of medical equipment you will ever own and you should take all the proper precautions for caring and maintaining it. You can call our service department at 1-877-303-9289 and ask any questions you may have!

Concentrator Do’s and Don’ts Video

Updated: March 20, 2024
Published: October 14, 2014

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

100 thoughts on “The Do’s and Don’ts of Oxygen Concentrators

    • Thank you for your message, Ana. If you go ahead and give our Service Department a call at: 877-303-9289, they’ll be able to work with you to diagnose your machine.

        • If you are keeping your concentrator in the bathroom overnight, keep the concentrator at least 6 inches away from the wall and curtain. Also, leave the bathroom door a little open for good air flow.

      • Can I put my concentrator good a small bathroom and close the door cuz I’m a very light sleeper and it is very noisy thank you for your help

        • Yes, some patients put the concentrator outside or in another room to reduce the noise reaching their ears. However, check the length of the maximum compatible tubing.

        • It’s safe to leave them plugged in for 24 hours. But to obtain best battery life, disconnect once the battery is fully charged.

          • Ensure that the concentrator has enough space for the intake of ambient air and the expulsion of warm air. Placing it in a confined space may affect its oxygen delivery and potentially cause overheating.
            Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations for the placement and use of your specific oxygen concentrator. These guidelines are crucial for safe and effective operation.

    • Does an oxygen concentrator filter out Carbon Monoxide please?
      If an oxygen concentrator was installed in a room within 3.5 metres of an open flue gas log fire -Could the oxygen concentrator cause a negative pressure in the room and cause the fumes from the gas log fire spill towards the inlet vent of the oxygen concentrator.

      • Hello Peter, oxygen concentrators filter out nitrogen from the ambient air and supply the rest to the user. Ambient air contains around 78% nitrogen and after getting rid of it, what’s left is medical-grade oxygen. It is not advised to use a concentrator in a smoke-filled environment indoors. It’ll cause the unit to malfunction and may void the warranty.
        A concentrator would not create such huge negative pressure that it’ll attract fumes from 3.5 meters away.
        Talk to our Oxygen Specialist for a free consultation, please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.

      • No, it should not hurt your oxygen concentrator to leave it plugged in 24 hours a day, even when not in use. In fact, most oxygen concentrators can be operated 24/7. However, if you are concerned about energy usage, you may want to consider unplugging it when you are not using it.

  1. A friend of mine is planning on investing in a portable oxygen concentrator. She’s mainly going to be using it when she travels. It’s nice to know that even if it’s used for travel, you should run your POC at least four hours each month.

    • Absolutely, Margie. I will pass along your information to one of our Oxygen Specialists who will reach out shortly regarding your request. If you’d like immediate assistance feel free to contact us directly at 877-774-9271.

    • can i use my portable oxygen concentrator in an area where solvents, plumbing glue, paint thinners and other adhesives are used

    • Thank you for your comment, Timothy. Have you walked through the step-be-step tutorial listed in your user manual? If you’ve misplaced your Inogen 1 manual you can download an online version here: Inogen One Manual

      If you are still unable to get your unit to charge you’re welcome to reach out to our Service department at 877-303-9289. They should be able to assist you in walking through troubleshooting your machine over the phone.

      • Respected Honourable,
        They said to turn it off after one hours at 10 minutes intervel..but it seems like my patient feels suffocating whenever we turn it off .therefore I want to know that if I don’t turn it off then is there any adverse effect on the machine or the patient ??
        Please let me notify about it.
        Thanking you.
        Regards.

        • Hello Twinkle, we don’t know which make and model of the concentrator you have. Most medical-grade concentrators can be operated 24×7. Please check the user’s manual or contact the manufacturer.

  2. The most recent 3 times I have used my SeQual Eclipse, I have noticed a strange odor. There have been no warning lights or beeps, but when I shut it down an odor similar to an ozone odor seems to be present. Should I be concerned? Does it need service?

    • Thank you for your question, Deborah. If you are experiencing any uncommon odors from your machine it is best troubleshoot the source of the problem as soon as possible. It is possible your unit needs to be serviced, but we can not say for sure without knowing more information. If you’ll give our Service Department a call at 877-303-9289 they’ll be able to assist you in the finding a solution.

  3. Just returned from three weeks in Morocco and Spain, made possible by Inogen One G-4 with three double batteries. It was tight a few times, but I really enjoyed the freedom I had with this portable oxygen concentrator!

    • How wonderful! We are so glad to hear you enjoyed your freedom using the Inogen G4! If you’re interested in being featured in an upcoming newsletter you’re welcome to submit your story or photos of you and your machine on your trip to Marketing@amsrco.com.

    • Question, I would like to know if my Insurance will cover one . I have COPD and just starting to have to be on oxygen pretty much all the time maybe and I’m on the go a lot. This sounds like what I would want.

      • Insurance reimbursement varies from patient to patient and policy to policy. We suggest you call your insurance company and ask if your policy reimburses. If you prefer, call us at: 1-877-644-4581 and we will help you through the process.

  4. my 02 is now stable 95 plus but I may need it when I fly. I do not want to take in 02 when I do not need, it just to keep from ruining the unit. Do I have to breathe the 02 monthly as it does not make me feel good???? Can I just keep it charged???

    • Keeping your unit continuously charging may damage some internal components. We recommend the tips above to store and keep your unit and accessories in top working condition. If you have further questions regarding running and properly storing your individual unit and accessories, feel free to give our Service Department a call at 877-303-9289.

  5. My InogenOne g3 user manual has instruction on how remove the columns but does not say how often they need replaced. Please provide some guidelines regarding how often I should replace the columns. Thank you.
    RICHARD Burtt.

    • You can find information in your user manual on changing your columns on page 22. As it indicates, you have 30 days from your first indicated message on the machine screen. Feel free to learn more by reading our blog post on How Do You Know When Inogen One G3 Columns Should Be Replaced here: When Inogen One Columns Should be Replaced?

  6. My mom is on the Ever-Flo Oxygen Concentrator – I was wondering if it’s ok for her to use a curling iron or hair dryer while she is using it?

    • Hello Terry,

      Yes, your mom can use the Ever-Flo with a curling iron or hair dryer. Please call us at 1-877-644-4581 if you need further assistance.

  7. Is it safe to use the oven for cooking when my mom is on her oxygen unit , but in a different room of the house, as is the oxygen concentrator?

    • Yes, you can use the Inogen G4 while it is plugged in. It will also charge the battery while plugged in and you are using it.

  8. Hi,
    Im going on a cruise September 7th and I think my battery is dying for my Inogen. Can’t seem to get it over 21. Any ideas. TIA

    • I have passed along your information to a specialist who will reach out regarding your request.For more immediate assistance feel free to give our customer care team a call so that they can best assist you in troubleshooting your issue. They can be reached at 877-303-9289.

  9. I purchased a inogen home consentrator for travel 4 months ago or so this is second time I have used it and when I lay down at night with head against pillow a hum comes thru the tube loudenough to keep me from sleeping. what could this problem be, its like a constant noise thru the tube on side of my head

    • I would recommend trying a couple things. You may want to try different tubing. The position of the tubing or the machine may be causing this. Trying moving where the machine is placed in relation to your head. You might need a bit more space. If this persists and none of these solution work please reach out to our customer care team at 877-303-9289 and they can help you further troubleshoot over the phone.

    • Hi David, Technically yes this is something that will happen. However, this is not something that you will hear or notice as the machine is designed to adjust but does have a maximum capacity of air in which it can take in.

  10. My Respironics Easy go batteries lose charge when I use it at 6 L but is simultaneously plugged in in wall or car. To he whole idea is to have concentrator working for extended time by plugging in, but someone said because I am using it at 6L, the unit is not capable of catching up and my batteries get used up instead of remaining charged. Also Easy care battery does not last long like Ever go unit. Also Easy go unit blows away my car fuse when it charge it in car. Unit has been serviced send replaced but problem continues. Is it a design flow with easy flow model? Just wonder why they discontinued Evergo which was wonderful unit. Also I’m bought used Evergo which was working fine but lately it is more noisy and my batteries last fir a king time. I am wondering if anything is wrong with machine. Technian checked out oxygen flow using a device which was for continuous flow and said oxygen is fine. However I use it in pulse mode.

  11. I have philips simply go POC that was last serviced in January at authorized center at Delhi, India. Since past 15 days it is delivering foul odor..some what like methane/ carbon for first 5-10 seconds after it is put on. I have changed cannula as per service center’s advice but no change. Please suggest.

    • I hope that the problem is fixed by now. The foul odor might be due to old sieve beds or an internal issue. Please check with your equipment provider to troubleshoot it.

      • Sanket,
        I sent a Philips everflo 5l oxygen concentrator from US to India, my family had just used convertor to plug it in but there was a spark at the turn on switch and it stopped.
        Now the machine is not turning ON. Could you please suggest what should be done to get it fixed?

        Thanks,
        Kireeti

        • I suspect the step-down convertor was not compatible with the unit. While looking for a voltage converter check two things:
          1. Voltage in wall outlet and voltage required by the unit.
          2. Wattage. How many watts do you need to convert? Everflo requires 350 W – to be safe I’d recommend using converter with higher capacity. Many people miss out on this point.

          I understand how disappointing it can be. Please contact the local Everflo repair center for service options.

    • Hi.
      No it does not hurt to use the unit continuously. But do follow your doctor’s prescription as to the amount and time you should use oxygen concentrator.

  12. Will I get use to using my portable oxygen concentrator at a higher level is I put it on 3 when the air quality is not good and I am running errands

    • We recommend talking to your doctor regarding the settings and your comfort level with regards to portable oxygen. It can be different for everyone and your doctor will be able to best advise you.

  13. Do i need a flashback arrestor for my nifty new platinum 10 when running it to my surface mix torch?.. I saw her for 40 bucks and couldn’t believe my eyes.. but because its second hand I have close to no knowledge of its capabilities yet and this question has been especially elusive on the interwebs.. I appreciate any and all info and would most definitely love for someone who does glassworking them selves to give me some pointers.. also I’m wondering who to contact to get it checked out.. id love for my grama to b able to use it but I need to make sure it’s not like all dirty and pumping toxins or something lol.. appreciate u all.. where would we b with out this resource so readily available.. far less better off thats for certain

  14. I recently traveled to the South Pacific, during that travel my Inogen g 3 started to alarm “running hot” what is the cause of this and what is the fix?

  15. My wife uses a OxyGo oxygen concentrator which on several occasions has shut down even though the units battery show a 100% charge.The operators manual trouble shooting chart gives no mention of this occurring and our rep is of no help.Help!!

    • We are sorry to hear of your troubles. Who is your provider of the OxyGo? We would suggest contacting the provider’s main number for assistance. If you need additional assistance, please contact us.

    • Hi Ernie, the odds of oxygen depletion in normal circumstances are pretty low. The rooms are not airtight which means the air can come in from places such as below the door, window frames, and air ventilation. Even when a room is sealed and is made completely airtight, it would take a couple of days to consume all the oxygen. So, don’t worry about it.

      • i think that is a terrible responce i have my mothers concentrator on the patio enclosed the room is basically sealed and the o2hose goes through a window open about an inch so the 21% O2 goes out of the room through the O2 tubing into the room where she is watching tv that means the other 70some percent of the nitrogen and other trace gasses are dumped into the room with the concentrator is in that scenario it doesn’t take long for that room to become depleted of O2 and soon the machine is trying to take O2 from a room that doesn’t have any O2 left in it .I noticed this problem when i was in that patio room after a while it started to become hard to breathe and i started feeling woozie well if you think about it this condition would have to happen because if it is in the room you are in it’s ok cause you only use about 3% of what goes down the tubing and the rest goes back into the room you are in but in this scenario the remainder doesn’t go back into the room where the concentrator is it goes into the room where my mom is sitting so no O2 goes back into the room where the concentrator is so anyone going into that room will soon run into a problem and the same with the person using the O2 the room she is in will have an abundance of O2 but the patio room will be completely depleted and dangerous do you see my point?

        • Yes I can see where that could become a problem I’m surprised no one has commented on this how could that not be an issue good good point I hope someone responds to your post good luck

  16. When I go shopping I have my OxyGo in it’s case and in the wheeled cart. If it is raining when I leave the store, I turn the concentrator around so when the cart is pulled the vented side of the concentrator faces down so rain can’t get in the vents. I put a plastic shower cap over the top area where the tubing connects and the unit plugs in. The cap does not reach down to the vents. It only covers the top. Is it now protected enough for me to walk across the parking lot to my vehicle?

    • It should be fine if the air conditioner has proper ventilation.
      With air conditioners, the air may get dry, for that use a room humidifier.

  17. I was told that letting my oxygen concentrator run without having the face piece on my face was not good for the machine. Is this true and why is it bad?

    • I guess you have a pulse-dose oxygen concentrator. Without the nasal cannulas in place, it won’t detect your breath and alarms will go off.

  18. i need to change the columns in my inogen. it also said it is over heating. if i change the columns will it take care of the over heating

    • I’d answer most probably to that. Overheating can be caused by multiple reasons and worn-out columns is one of the reasons. When columns are in use for a long period of time, the sieve beds inside get hardened and because of that, the concentrator has to work harder to maintain the airflow, resulting in overheating. Please change your columns and first and see whether both the errors are resolved before sending the unit in for repairs.

  19. Hi, is it okay to keep a brand new OC machine unopened for a year or two before use? Or is it required to be used every few months just to air it/run it even if there is no requirement presently. Planning to keep an OC handy in case of a sudden need, but was thinking of just keeping it as it is in its factory packaging, and opening it only if there is a need. Pls advise me. Thanks.

    • We’d not suggest keeping the concentrator unsued for that long. The sieve beds may harden over time and when the time comes to use the unit, it might not work.

  20. My mothers oxygen concentrator is fairly new but is also very noisy. We don’t have many options to move it to another location so that it doesn’t bother everyone in the house. Is it ok to put some sort of foam box around it (leaving the intake side open) to dampen the noise?

    • I don’t think it’ll resolve the issue. Moreover, it’s not recommended. If you think the noise is more than usual, contact your equipment provider to get the unit repaired.

  21. I need to take an extensive (like 6 month) trip to various places that involve air travel. My regular concentrator is too large for me to carry along. Can I use a portable as my every-night concentrator for as long as 6 months?

    • If the portable meets your nighttime oxygen requirement and that you do not breathe from the mouth, a portable should be fine. Portables can be used 24/7. We’ve got a lightweight stationary oxygen concentrator Inogen at Home that can fit inside a check-in bag. If you need more information, talk to our Oxygen Specialist at (877) 644-4581.

  22. Can I use my POC while it is plug in at home to charge? Will the battery last? Does it continue to charge while I use it?

    • Yes, you can absolutely use a concentrator while it is charging. It’ll continue to charge while you use it, though it will take more time to charge. POCs are meant for 24/7 usage and can be used while plugged in with a drained battery.

  23. I appreciated reading all these questions and the answers and learned a lot. I am just now venturing into travel with my new machine and I’m nervous about that so thanks for all this information. It is helpful and enlightening.

  24. We have a Simply Go purchased 4 years ago. Had a sieve bed replaced two years ago. My husband has used it 4 nights since then. Now it beeps 3 short beeps 3 times, shows the battery is draining as it runs on the power cord (which has a green light on the connector box). Ran forty five minutes, quit, and started back up. Does this repeatedly as if trying to run and rebuild the battery. Business we purchased it from no longer works on them. Says Phillips can’t get some parts. How do we get this repaired?

    • If you think it’s due to dryness, use continuous-flow oxygen with a humidifier bottle. However, there could be a non-concentrator-related issue. Please consult with your medical provider.

    • If the person smoking is at least 8 feet away from the oxygen concentrator, it is safe. However, note that if smoking smell is detected in the concentrator, any pending warranty goes void.

  25. I will need to go in and out of our county courthouse, can my portable concentrator be put thru the screening X ray and if so how many times would it be able to go thru without damage

    • Hello Fred, we haven’t heard of any incidents where the oxygen concentrator is affected adversely by X-ray screening.

  26. IMY DOCTOR ORDERED A 5L OXYGEN GENERATOR. WHEN USING IT THE FIRST TIME IT EMITTED A STRANGE ODOR AND SMELL THAT BURNED MY EYES AND NOSE; THE ODOR FIILED THE ROOM AND MADE MY WIFE ILL. IAM I SAFE TO USE IT?

    • What make and model of oxygen concentrator did you purchase? There are a lot of substandard units in the market. It is very important to deal with a well-reputed seller. Please contact your vendor for service options.

  27. Is it all right to put the portable oxygen concentrator in a locker while I’m in the swimming pool. It is obviously not on.

    • If the locker remains dry, it’s okay to store your POC there while swimming. If not then instead of leaving your POC in a locker, consider leaving it with a trusted friend or family member who can keep it safe and dry while you are in the pool.

  28. It is recommended that you fully discharge the batteries monthly! How do you accomplish this (simply go) and what is the proper schedule for 2 batteries?

    • To properly discharge the batteries, you can follow these general steps:

        Ensure that the batteries are fully charged before starting the discharge process.
        Disconnect the POC from any power sources (AC or DC) and switch it to battery mode.
        Allow the POC to run until the batteries are fully discharged and the device shuts off automatically. This process may take several hours.
        Once the batteries are completely discharged, you can connect the POC to a power source and recharge the batteries fully.

      Please watch our video on SimplyGo maintenance to learn how to maintain the unit and accessories. Click here

    • Using a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) 24/7 for an extended period, such as a two-week vacation, is possible but requires careful planning and consideration. Here are some important factors to keep in mind:

      Battery Life: POCs run on batteries, and the duration of use depends on the specific POC model, the flow rate prescribed by your healthcare provider, and the capacity of the batteries. Some POCs offer longer battery life than others. Before your trip, ensure you have sufficient batteries to last for the entire duration you cannot connect to a wall outlet.

      Backup Oxygen: It’s a good idea to have a backup source of oxygen, such as oxygen cylinders or liquid oxygen, in case of unexpected battery failures or POC malfunctions. Consult with your healthcare provider or oxygen supplier to arrange for backup oxygen.

      Local Resources: Research healthcare facilities and oxygen suppliers at your destination. Knowing where to access medical care and oxygen-related services can provide peace of mind.

      Oxygen Prescription: Make sure you have a valid prescription for oxygen therapy, and carry a copy with you. It’s essential to have documentation of your medical need for oxygen when traveling.

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