Home oxygen concentrators (HOCs) operate with AC power, and since they’re larger units that plug into the wall, you may see some changes to your electric bill. How much electricity your HOC uses depends on your model, how often you operate your unit and your oxygen flow setting. Fortunately, newer units are becoming more energy efficient, reducing your bill.
Since your HOC is medically necessary for your health and well-being, there are things you can do to get some help. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions and answers about oxygen concentrators and your electric bill.
Will Medicare help pay for the electricity used by my oxygen concentrator if they cover my oxygen concentrator and other equipment?
Although Medicare may pay for your oxygen equipment, accessories, and repairs, it does not cover your electric bill.
Can I get help paying for the extra electricity my oxygen concentrator uses?
First, check with your electric company. Many electric companies offer discounts to people who use oxygen concentrators. You can also ask if they have a budget payment plan or, depending on your income, a lower power plan.
Some government-run and charitable programs could reduce your monthly electric bills if you qualify. Medical equipment is also tax-deductible, and you could deduct the cost of running your concentrator. However, you’ll need to calculate the yearly cost by following the following steps.
- Locate the volts and amps on your concentrator’s label.
- Multiply the volts by the amps (volts x amps), and write down that number.
- Multiply your answer from step 2 by 0.001, which gives you the kilowatt hours.
- Calculate how many hours you used your HOC during the last year by multiplying the number of hours per day by 365 (days of the year). For example, if you use your concentrator for five hours every day, multiply 5 x 365.
- Multiply your answer from step 3 (kilowatt hours) by your step 4 answer.
- Check with your electric company to see their cost per kilowatt, and multiply that answer by your answer from step 5. This answer is the cost of running your HOC for the year.
What can I do to make my oxygen concentrator use less electricity?
Although you cannot change how much electricity your HOC uses, you can reduce how much electricity you use overall.
- Seal up air leaks from windows and doors in colder months.
- Adjust the thermostat when you leave your home and adjust it back when you return.
- Keep non-essential appliances unplugged and power down devices you’re not currently using.
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
- Choose low-energy light bulbs.
Related Information
- Home Oxygen Concentrator Buying Guide
- Oxygen Therapy Safety – What to Do If You Lose Electricity
- Portable Concentrator Electricity Usage and Costs
Updated: April 12, 2024
Published: April 27, 2015
Kristina Diaz, RRT, is a health writer and registered respiratory therapist with over a decade of emergency and critical care experience. She earned respiratory care and journalism degrees in Michigan, where she was born and raised. She now resides in Florida, where she works as a full-time freelance writer and part-time respiratory therapist.
Kristina began her respiratory career in 2011 in Saginaw, Michigan. She now works in Lakeland, Florida, in one of the busiest emergency departments in the nation, treating people with various lung conditions, like COPD, asthma, and sleep apnea, among others. She maintains her Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification and is a member of the trauma team at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Her favorite part of being a respiratory therapist is providing relief to people struggling to breathe.
Kristina began freelance health writing in 2014, and her work is published on multiple websites, including Philips Respironics, the American Sleep Association, the Sleep Doctor, and more. She writes about lung health, sleep disorders, nutrition, and other health-related topics. Since she was a child, she’s always wanted to write, and now she gets to combine her passion for writing with the knowledge obtained from her respiratory career.
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Kristina Diaz, RRThttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/kristina-diaz/
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Kristina Diaz, RRThttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/kristina-diaz/
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Kristina Diaz, RRThttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/kristina-diaz/
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Kristina Diaz, RRThttps://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com/blog/author/kristina-diaz/
Its all goid it will not increase more than $188.00 a year. I was thinking that whole amount to be by the month. Thank you no worries
I appreciate that figure $188….how long a day did you run your large machine?
Not true mine has went up 73 dollors a month since my mom has been using hers 24 hours a day
I’m in Florida and staying with my daughter and I use mine full time while sleeping and throughout the day periodically. I have Stage 4 COPD and CHF and her bill went up $50 last month.
Mine has gone up$85.00 a month!!!!
Talk to our Oxygen Specialist for a free consultation, please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.
My bill tripled with my son’s Oxygen concentrator
Do not believe it – it is NOT true. My bill went from 110.89 to 289.89 in ONE month.
Talk to our Oxygen Specialist for a free consultation, please give us a call at (877) 644-4581.
Is it a high cost in energy to plug in 4 oxygen canisters every day? For someone who is always on oxygen. Can you estimate what it will cost a month in California? Thank you
It would be difficult to estimate this cost for us. But you might have your utility company help you in calculating, Considering the seasonality, the energy prices your utility charge, they would be better resource for this.
How can I get my electric company to turn power back on my wife oxygen dependant and uses a compressor and I sleep with a bi-pap machine for several sleep apnea. Electric co in there rules and reg state can’t shut power off if it a life threatening to anyone living in house and their customer service people are talking about ventilator which is wrong because you wouldn’t be home on a ventilator. Please advise ASAP because of wife tank is getting empty. Thank you….
Geoffrey, You can get a note from your doctor and call your company back or you can call 211 and they can put you in touch with the advocacy that will help you. There are laws protecting those that need electricity for medical reasons.
Thanks to all. My electric bill for this month. 459.00. My husband and I are both on oxygen concentrator. I have a CPAP. I Pray God will see us through.
My brother is on constant oxygen 24 hours a day. Is it possible you could tell me how much more the electric bill will go up annually please. Even if its a rough guide for me to know. His oxygen is set at number 4.
regards
Donna Chadburn
07789006***
Hi Donna,
Assuming that your electricity cost is 15 pence per kWh and the concentrator consumes 350 watts, then you’d see an additional electricity charge of £460 per year.
My sister had to move in with her son he has a large family and she had to be on hospice and start oxygen machine that uses a lot of electricity 😞they need help
Talk to our Oxygen Specialist for a free consultation, please give us a call at (877) 644-4581. They will guide you to narrow down the most energy-efficient concentrator for her needs.
I had a hand written prescription on my cpap and oxygen concentrator and the city clerk of the town I live in Kansas. Refused to leave it on because we owed a bill of $400. So I have had no oxygen at night or cpap for over three weeks and it will be another two weeks before I get a check!
Please isn’t there some government agency that can stop this so I can get my oxygen at night and my cpap?
We can quickly answer all your questions over a phone call. Please reach us out at 888-387-5914. We are open seven days a week.