Maintaining Your Portable Oxygen Concentrator
Portable oxygen concentrators are certainly a large financial investment and personal asset, which you want to take good care of. There are a few maintenance and storage tips to note to ensure your concentrator works at all times. Each individual will have different uses for their concentrator and maintenance tips may vary, but here are some general guidelines for maintaining and storing your portable oxygen concentrator:
- The unit should not be exposed to any environment or setting with smoke – this includes tobacco smoke, wood smoke, or chemical fumes
- To clean the unit, use a damp cloth, and avoid using strong cleaning products
- Check the manual to locate the filter; if it is removable, clean or replace it, according to the manual. Most filters need to be replaced every two years.
- The sieve bed may need to be serviced by a professional about every two years. The sieve bed lays inside the unit, which filters the nitrogen from the air so you are only breathing in filtered oxygen.
- Batteries may need to be replaced at some point. Batteries are expensive, so it is wise to start saving for batteries ahead of time.
- Be gentle and handle with care! The connections can be the most fragile part of your portable oxygen concentrator. Pay close attention when plugging or unplugging in the cannula/tubing, and when you plug or unplug it from the AC adaptor.
These are some general guidelines to follow, but make sure to follow all instructions in the manual. Making sure you take good care of your portable oxygen concentrator can help prevent potential problems and ensure your unit is putting out the purest oxygen possible.