Maintaining your Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC)

Often times as with any mechanical device, routine maintenance is required. Given the investment you have put in your portable oxygen concentrator, we have put down some preventative maintenance tips to keep your POC in tip top shape.

1. Just as we forget to do with our air filters in our house, we sometimes forget to clean and replace the filters in our portable oxygen concentrators. Cleaning and replacing of the filters can often times clear up a lot of issues you might be having. Most portable oxygen concentrators have a reusable filter, so make sure to remove and clean your filter with warm water and soap at least once a week. After you wash your filter, let it air dry and then place back into your concentrator.
2. If your concentrator has a replaceable filter instead of a reusable one, you need to replace it every 6 months to 1 year depending on the concentrators daily environment and manufacturers recommendations (be sure to check the owner’s manual for manufacturer specifications regarding your oxygen system).
3. The sieve beds on your concentrator may need to be replaced every 1 to 2 years depending on the make and model of your POC. The sieve beds are the part of the unit that separates the nitrogen and oxygen to produce the highest O2 purity possible.
4. Wipe down the outside of your concentrator often with a damp microfiber cloth so that your concentrator stays lint and dust free.
5. Be gentle with your concentrator as it and can break if dropped on a hard surface. Use the roll cart or carry bag for your travel oxygen machine when transporting it. When in the car be sure to place the concentrator in the seat with the buckle on. We do not recommend putting the concentrator anywhere it has the possibility of falling over or being shaken around.
6. Do not take your concentrator near water, as water can cause the machine to stop functioning properly. Keep water out of the nasal cannula as well.
7. Be sure to keep your concentrator away from all kinds of smoke because it can void the warranty and cause damage to the internal components.
8. Your concentrators batteries may need to be replaced over time, as lithium ion batteries do have a limited lifetime.

If you have any questions about how to maintain your portable oxygen concentrator please give us a call at 800.375.6060.