How Many Watts Does a Portable Oxygen Concentrator Use

As an oxygen therapy patient, you definitely already know the many benefits of using a portable oxygen concentrator. One of the questions you're probably curious about is ‘how many watts does a portable oxygen concentrator use.’ Knowing the answer can make a difference to your monthly electric cost. 

In this article, you will learn how many watts a POC uses, how to calculate the energy consumption, tips to reduce electrical costs, and the best portable oxygen concentrator units with the most extended battery life. 

How Many Watts Does a Portable Oxygen Concentrator Use?

The amount of watts oxygen concentrators’ uses depends significantly on the model and size. Smaller devices use as little as 120 watts, while larger units can go as high as 600 watts.

Portable O2 concentrators are small medical machines that help supply oxygen to the user, who has low oxygen levels in their blood. Typically, POC units are battery-operated, but there are few that you can plug into an electrical source. Though, often enough, they are small and powered by batteries. 

Calculating Portable O2 Concentrator Energy Consumption

Since you are following an oxygen therapy routine, you will have to use your oxygen concentrator multiple times a day. So, in addition to your other monthly bills, the cost of running your supplemental oxygen concentrator can put a noticeable dent in your electrical bill. 

If you look at the label of your portable oxygen concentrator, you will see the unit’s electricity use in amps and volts. That is not precisely helpful since an electric bill calculates the kilowatts used. You can, however, convert the volts and amps and then calculate your additional electricity cost.

1. You can start by multiplying the values of the amps and volts.
2. Multiply the answer by 0.001 to get the kilowatt hours value. 
3. Figure out the annual usage of your oxygen concentrator. For instance, you use it for 7 hours a day. Multiple 7 x 365 to get the yearly value.
4. Multiply the kilowatt hours value and the annual value to get the result. 

The final answer you attain is your oxygen concentrator power usage in a year. Next, you can identify your electric company’s tariff per kilowatt charge. 

How to Reduce Portable Oxygen Concentrator Power Consumption Costs?

If you are thinking of ways to reduce the electricity usage of an oxygen concentrator, that is, unfortunately, impossible. A concentrator has a standard and fixed electricity usage that you cannot modify, like your refrigerator and TV. It does not mean it’s a lost cause, though.

There are multiple ways to counterbalance the cost of your oxygen concentrator! Here are some helpful tips you can follow: 

1. Unplug Appliance That Are Not In Use

We live in an era that uses constant electricity and technology. From appliances to chargers, it is safe to assume that multiple devices in your home not in use are still plugged in. Despite these devices being out of sight and mind, they still use energy, which increases your monthly bills further.

All utilities plugged in draw electricity in small increments. This amount might be small for every device, but add them up, and they are hard not to notice.

Unplugging appliances that you are not using can help you save money on expenses and bills. Moreover, it also increases and lengthens the life of your belongings!

The more appliances you have plugged in, whether they are in use or not, draw electricity. You can save approximately 10% every month when you unplug devices and appliances that are not in use. As long as they are not plugged, they would not consume power, reducing the wattage you draw in every month. 

2. Use Energy-Efficient Bulbs

If you are willing to devote yourself to reducing your power consumption, you can try energy-saving light bulbs. These bulbs can last up to 12 times as long as traditional and standard bulbs.

It also uses less electricity to emit the same amount of light. They are energy-saving and efficient, helping you reduce and lessen your home’s carbon footprint.

3. Talk To Your Electric Company

Most electric companies offer individual and personal customer rebates for home medical equipment. One such example of a life-supporting medical machine is an oxygen concentrator. Oxygen patients need this device to lessen and reduce COPD and respiratory-related symptoms like breathlessness, coughing, wheezing, and chest pain. 

While insurers cover the cost of these devices, they don’t exactly cover the electricity required to operate them. Fortunately, patients can apply for rebates. It is available for electrically-operated support equipment (like concentrators) necessary to treat life-threatening diseases. You can talk to your electric provider to know if you are eligible for it.

4. Improve Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator’s Battery Life 

The most effective way to reduce your power consumption is to switch to a battery-operated portable concentrator. It means you would not have to plug it in every time you use it.

Moreover, you would be able to bring it anywhere since it doesn’t need to be attached to an outlet. Aside from buying POC units with long life, you can work on improving and lengthening your POC’s battery life.

You can do this by avoiding charging the battery up to 100%. You can leave it charged to 100% once in a while but practice only partially charging it. Try to recharge the batteries once they reach 50% and prevent letting the charge run out or get dangerously low. It is to relieve the stress on the battery.

Only use the charging cords and equipment that came with the POC package. It is to ensure that your unit is charging correctly. Knock-off charging packs can cause damage by draining the battery and reducing its life. 

Make sure to store the batteries correctly. Place it somewhere safe to avoid battering or breaking the battery. Try not to leave them in severe temperatures (immensely hot or shivering cold). 

5 Portable Oxygen Concentrators With The Longest Battery Life

One of the advantages of POC units over stationary and home oxygen concentrators is that most are battery-powered. You do not need to be constantly and persistently glued to a power outlet as you receive your supplemental oxygen. That implies that POC units offer more freedom and independence to oxygen patients.

You probably realize the importance of battery life by now to a portable oxygen concentrator. Here are a few POC units with the longest battery life on the market!

1. CAIRE FreeStyle Comfort

Over time, CAIRE Inc. became synonymous with ‘quality.’ While it might not be as popular as other big brands, they have been continuously operating behind closed doors to deliver new technologies to make the lives of oxygen patients much easier. 

Despite being its latest release, CAIRE’s Freestyle Comfort quickly became one of its top-selling products. This newly designed oxygen concentrator offers you an ergonomic and lightweight design at a surprising weight of only 5 pounds. It is comfortable to carry around, whether you’re just out for a walk in the park or taking a long trip worldwide.   

On its lowest flow setting with a 16-cell battery, you will be surprised to know that this small device can carry on for an astounding 16 hours straight. Its battery life exceeds even the top-of-its-class portable oxygen concentrators on the market. Having this oxygen unit around means you do not need to worry about being out for long hours as it can hold out for so long.

You have two options for which battery you want your Freestyle Comfort to come with — an 8 or 16-cell battery. The best possible choice for you is based on how long you intend to use it outside and without power, along with the recommended flow setting of your doctor. 

You can note that the recharge time of the 8-cell battery is around 3.5 hours, while the 16-cell battery needs 6 hours at least. 

2. Inogen One G5

Inogen is easily the most recognizable name and brand for long portable battery-operated concentrators. While Inogen does not have a long history as an oxygen supply and manufacturer, like AirSep or Respironics, they left a more remarkable impression. It is due to the high level of innovation that each Inogen portable concentrator brought to the table. 

Inogen One G5, in particular, is exceptionally known for its long battery life. This oxygen device is perfect for you if lightweight and power are something you are looking for in a concentrator. The G5 weighs only 4.7 pounds with a pulse flow setting of 1-6. Similar to Caire’s Freestyle Comfort, this unit also offers two forms of batteries — a single and a double battery.

Either option offers benefits for the user. Choose based on your oxygen needs and lifestyle preference. A single battery at the lowest setting can last up to 6.5 hours. Meanwhile, you can use a G5 with a double battery for 13 hours.

Inogen One G5 also offers some of the best arrays of accessories for any POC unit. When you buy an Inogen product, you can expect several options for customizing your experience. The carrying bag alone has two options. 

The G5 custom carrying case is perfect for someone looking to carry as little weight as possible. It is excellent for a short trip to the grocery or mall. The second option is the G5 backpack which is more fit for traveling long distances. It can carry more accessories like extra batteries, replacement filters, and chargers. 

Aside from bags, the G5 also offers different charging options. One of the cooler charging options of the device is the external battery charger. With this charger, you can charge two at a time; one on your oxygen concentrator and the other one on your external battery charger!

3. ResMed Mobi Portable Oxygen Concentrator

ResMed Mobi, released in 2018, is a relatively new model that features a long-lasting internal battery that can run up to 6 hours, depending on the setting. If that run time is not enough, you can purchase an external battery that can add another 3 hours. That makes it a total of 9 hours of battery life.

ResMed Mobi has an internal battery as the base and can operate with a second or an external battery plugged in. Once drained, the device will automatically switch over to the internal battery power. It takes about 3.6 hours to recharge the internal battery fully. 

Aside from having an external battery, another feature that makes ResMed Mobi unique is its intelligent delivery. As the user drifts to sleep, their breathing will become shallower and slower. The oxygen device recognizes this change in breathing rate and will adjust accordingly. It will continue to deliver oxygen at an optimal rate and dosage to ensure that the user is fully saturated. 

The device accounts for people who alternate between nose and mouth breathing at night. While some concentrators would beep to indicate no breath, Mobi will prevent this not to wake up the user.  

4. Respironics SimplyGo

SimplyGo is the first continuous flow portable oxygen concentrator under 15 pounds. It is probably the smallest and lightest continuous flow concentrator you can find on the market — one that you can bring anywhere without worrying that it won’t fit in your backpack.

This oxygen device is more remarkable because it also has pulse flow settings — a two-in-one package, as most would say. This oxygen concentrator is equipped with both flow oxygen delivery modes to cover you 24/7. It offers continuous flow settings of 0.5-2 LPM and a pulse flow settings of 1-6. 

Choosing between the two delivery modes gives the users more flexibility than most POC cannot. The ability to work in more than one operating mode makes this oxygen machine one of the best on the market.

Aside from its unique flow delivery modes, another great feature of SimplyGo is its long battery life! Using the lowest continuous flow rate, your device can last for 2.9 hours. SimplyGo can run for about 3.4 hours at the lowest pulse flow rate.

Moreover, recharging the SimplyGo batteries was as convenient and easy as possible. You have three options you can choose from — AC power supply, DC power supply, and external battery charger. 

5. Arya Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Realizing that oxygen therapy patients’ need for supplemental oxygen meant compromising mobility and comfort to haul around oxygen tanks, AYRA took it upon themselves to make a change. The result is a quaint device weighing 5 pounds (with an 8-cell battery) or 6 pounds (with a 16-cell battery).

ARYA portable oxygen concentrator is a lightweight device with a powerful battery-operated system, long battery life, and fast charging. The lack of unnecessary heavy weight allows patients to easily strap the POC to their hip and perform their daily routine. 

Despite its small size, this device packs a solid punch with a plethora of features. It features pulse flow settings that range from 1-to 5. 

It has a long-lasting 8-cell battery life that can last up to 8 hours! You can choose the 16-cell battery option if you want the full ultimate portable operating experience.

This ARYA device is also not restricted to a built-in battery. As an oxygen therapy patient, your battery requirements can vary from activity to activity. Rest assured that this oxygen device gives you the option you need. You have the freedom to customize the battery life to accommodate your varying needs with two external batteries.

The two battery options offer you two things: you get to choose how long you want portable operation and choose the size and weight of your AYRA! 

FAQs About Portable O2 Concentrator Power Consumption

Below are a few frequently-asked-questions that can answer some of your power and electricity consumption related questions regarding POCs!

Do oxygen concentrators use much electricity?

Typically, oxygen concentrators run on 120 volts and draw around four running amps. The motor within the oxygen device runs continually, so it has an average of 480 running watts.

Although, an oxygen concentrator would require a UPS or a battery backup if you experience emergency power outages. It is especially required for patients who use high levels of oxygen or those who need to use it for several hours. 

How much electricity does a 5 liter portable oxygen concentrator use?

A 5-liter oxygen concentrator offers medium oxygen flow to patients. The amount of electricity it releases depends on model, size, weight, and brand. Typically, a 5-liter oxygen machine can use between 250-350 watts per hour to operate. 

How much electricity does a 10 liter portable oxygen concentrator use?

Similarly to 5-liter oxygen concentrators, 10-liter ones also vary depending on the multiple factors. However, the average power consumption of a 10-liter oxygen device is around 400-700 watts. 

Get An Energy-Efficient Portable Concentrator From Your Trusted Supplier Today!

All things considered, there are several options available for oxygen therapy patients who want to know ‘how many watts does a portable oxygen concentrator use.’

Today is the best time to pick one of the portable oxygen devices above.