Do Home Oxygen Concentrators Use A Lot of Electricity

Flow rate, device wattage requirements, patient usage, and maintenance influence the electricity consumption of a home oxygen concentrator. Users can estimate costs using the formula: Electricity Usage (kWh) = Wattage x Hours Used ÷ 1000. Electricity rates vary by location, with higher costs in places like Hawaii and lower rates in Utah. By calculating these costs, patients can effectively budget for oxygen therapy and prevent unexpected utility charges.

Home oxygen therapy is crucial for people with chronic respiratory conditions, helping them stay independent and improve their quality of life. Oxygen concentrators are essential to home oxygen therapy, providing medical-grade oxygen to users. While these medical devices are critical for many people, their constant operation brings an important but often overlooked concern: electricity usage.

Patients who use a home oxygen concentrator should understand how electricity usage is key to managing long-term costs, as it can raise utility bills over time. Patients and caregivers can budget for this expense by learning about power consumption. Read on to learn about the basics of concentrator electricity usage, what affects the cost of running one, and how to calculate and budget for it for long-term success with home oxygen therapy.

First, it’s important to understand how concentrators work. These stationary medical devices provide the oxygen your body needs to function by removing excess nitrogen from the air and delivering a higher concentration of oxygen required for therapy. They do this by drawing surrounding air through a filter and running it through a compressor. The air becomes pressurized and passes through specialized filters that separate oxygen from nitrogen, delivering pure oxygen through a mask or nasal cannula.¹ 

Unlike tanks or other oxygen storage containers, standard home concentrators provide unlimited oxygen as they run on electricity and don’t require refilling². A consistent electrical power draw supplies the compressor and provides uninterrupted oxygen delivery for patients. Electrical power supports critical monitoring systems, like alarms and flow meters, which help maintain the durability and electrical safety of the medical device.³ 

Home oxygen concentrators come in varying flow rates and wattages, equating to differing power consumption usage. The flow rate of an oxygen concentrator refers to the amount of oxygen delivered to the patient per minute, measuring in liters per minute (LPM). Flow rates can widely differ depending on the type of concentrator. For example, a smaller 5-liter oxygen concentrator provides up to 5 LPM, while a larger 10-liter concentrator provides up to 10 LPM.

Wattage represents the power consumption of an electrical device and is measured in watts. The wattage comparison of concentrator models varies depending on features such as the flow rate. Energy usage per hour differs by machine and manufacturer, but standard home oxygen concentrators average between 300 and 600 watts. Like most equipment requiring power, larger 10-liter oxygen concentrators use more energy than the 5-liter machines with smaller watts. This range can significantly affect your electricity bill.

Patients frequently adjust their oxygen flow rate according to their activity level, using higher flow rates during physical exertion and lower rates at rest. These adjustments impact the LPM of oxygen being delivered, affecting the power consumption.⁴ 

Regular maintenance, such as timely filter replacements, is essential for ensuring optimal performance and electrical efficiency of oxygen equipment. Keeping the device clean and inspecting it for wear and tear can further extend its lifespan and maintain consistent functionality.

Figuring out how much an oxygen concentrator will cost to run every month is important to help those on a budget pay their bills confidently. As the cost of living continues to rise⁵, oxygen therapy users who continuously run their machines can confidently choose a model that will fit their fixed-budget needs.

Your monthly electricity bill is calculated based on kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption. In October 2023, the average cost for a kWh of electricity in the United States was 16.48 cents per kWh. Electricity rates differ greatly across states, with Utah having the lowest average rate at 11.23 cents per kWh, while Hawaii has the highest average rate at 42.68 cents per kWh.⁶ 

To calculate what you will be spending on energy costs, you must find the kWh used by the concentrator. To calculate the kWh of an appliance, use this formula⁷: Electricity Usage (kWh) = Wattage x Hours Used ÷ 1000.

Then, to determine the cost of electricity usage, follow this equation: Electricity Usage (kWh) x Cost per kWh = Cost.

Before solving these equations, let’s break down the terms that are used in these formulas to understand the steps of the calculating process better.

• Wattage: Wattage (measured in watts) refers to the power a device uses, and can be found on a label or in the device's owner’s manual. Example: A 300-watt concentrator has a wattage of 300W.
• Hours Used: This is the total time the device is in use. It is usually measured in hours per day or over a specified period (like weekly or monthly). Example: If you use the concentrator for 12 hours per day, the hours used are 12.
• Dividing by 1000: Since 1 kilowatt (kW) = 1000 watts, dividing by 1000 converts the result from watt-hours (Wh) to kilowatt-hours (kWh), the standard unit for electricity usage.
• Cost Per Kilowatt-Hour (kWh): The price you pay for each unit of electricity used, usually measured in cents or dollars. It varies by location and provider and calculates your electricity bill based on energy use. Example: Your electricity rate is $0.16 per kWh.

Example 1: A low-power oxygen concentrator (300 watts) is used for 12 hours per day, and the cost per kWh electricity rate is $0.16 per kWh. Find the kWh/day and then calculate what it costs to run per day and month.

• Electricity Usage (kWh) = Wattage x Hours Used ÷ 1000
• 300 x 12 ÷ 1000 = 3.6 kWh/day
• Electricity Usage (kWh) x Cost per kWh = Cost
• 3.6 kWh x $0.16 per kWh = $0.58 per day

Then multiply the daily electricity usage rate by 30 days to get the rate per month:

• $0.58 x 30 days = $17.40 per month

You just figured out that operating your concentrator will cost $17.40 a month!

Example 2: A high-wattage concentrator (600 watts) is used 24 hours per day, and the cost per kWh electricity rate is $0.16 per kWh. Find the kWh/day and then calculate what it costs to run per day and month.

• 600 x 24 ÷ 1000 = 14.4 kWh/day
• 14.4 kWh x $0.16 per kWh = $2.30 per day
• $2.30 x 30 days = $69.00 per month

Example 3: Compare the costs based on varying energy rates by location for a high-wattage concentrator (600 watts) used 24 hours per day, with the cost per kWh electricity rate $0.11 per kWh in Utah AND $0.42 per kWh in Hawaii. Find the kWh/day and then calculate what it costs to run per day and month in each location.

• 600 x 24 ÷ 1000 = 14.4 kWh/day
• 14.4 kWh x $0.11 per kWh = $1.58 per day in Utah
• $1.58 x 30 days = $47.40 per month in Utah
  
  AND
• 600 x 24 ÷ 1000 = 14.4 kWh/day
• 14.4 kWh x $0.42 per kWh = $6.05 per day in Hawaii
• $6.05 x 30 days = $181.50 per month in Hawaii

Because of the varying energy rate costs per state, the same concentrator and hours used have significantly different monthly costs, tripling in comparison.