Using an Oxygen Concentrator at Home: What to Do in a Power Cut, Why It Alarms, How Much Electricity It Uses, and How It Differs from an Oxygen Tank

How to use an oxygen concentrator safely at home: place it in open space with nothing blocking the vents, away from open flames, with no smoking; switch it on and use only the flow rate the doctor prescribed, never adjusting it yourself; look after the filter and tubing as the manual says; and have a backup plan before the day the power goes out, because a concentrator needs electricity all the time. An oxygen tank (cylinder) needs no electricity, but holds a limited amount and must be refilled or replaced. When the machine alarms, always check your parent before you check the machine.

On the first day the machine arrives, everyone listens carefully to the demonstration. A few nights later the questions start. Is this rhythmic hissing normal? What does the flashing light mean? What do we do if the power goes out at 3 a.m.? How much will this month's electricity bill go up? This guide gathers the answers families ask most often, so everyone at home can use the machine with confidence and knows when to call whom.

Quick answer

• An oxygen concentrator draws in room air and filters it to deliver concentrated oxygen continuously, but it needs power all the time. An oxygen tank needs no power, but runs out and must be refilled or replaced.
• Place the concentrator in open space with vents uncovered, away from gas cookers and open flames. No smoking in any room where oxygen is used.
• Use only the flow rate your parent's doctor prescribed. Never increase, reduce or stop it on your own.
• Alarms are usually caused by a power cut, kinked tubing, blocked vents or filter, or low oxygen concentration. Check your parent first, then the machine.
• Power cuts need planning in advance: ask the doctor for a written emergency plan and arrange a backup oxygen source that does not need electricity. If the power fails or the machine breaks down and your parent becomes tired, struggles to breathe or has blue lips, call 1669 immediately.
• Electricity cost can be worked out yourself: watts on the label × hours used ÷ 1,000 × your home's price per unit.

1. Oxygen concentrator vs oxygen tank: what's the difference and who suits which?

The difference is the source of oxygen. A concentrator uses electricity to draw in room air and remove nitrogen, so it keeps producing oxygen for as long as it has power. A tank holds compressed oxygen, needs no electricity, but contains a limited amount and must be refilled or swapped. The UK National Health Service (NHS) explains that a concentrator suits people who need oxygen for most of the day, including while asleep, whereas cylinders are usually for people who need it for short periods.

• Oxygen concentrator: runs day and night with no refills, but needs constant power and makes some running noise. Suits a parent whose doctor has prescribed oxygen for many hours a day or during sleep.
• Oxygen tank: needs no power, and small tanks can be taken out of the house, but you must watch the gauge, reorder refills, keep the tank upright and stable, and store it away from heat. Suits short-term use, travel, or backup during a power cut.

How many hours does an oxygen tank last?

There is no single figure for all tanks, because it depends on the tank size, the pressure remaining and the prescribed flow rate. For a rough estimate, use this formula:

• Volume of oxygen gas a full tank holds (litres, ask the supplier) ÷ prescribed flow rate (litres per minute) = approximate minutes of use
• Minutes ÷ 60 = hours

Be careful: the litres in this formula must be the volume of oxygen gas, not the water capacity of the cylinder, which may also be printed on the tank but is many times smaller. If you are unsure what the number on the tank means, ask the supplier. The result applies to a full tank only. For a tank that has been used, ask the supplier to calculate from that tank's pressure gauge, always keep a reserve, and reorder before it runs out rather than using it until empty.

As for whether a 5-litre or 10-litre machine is needed, that depends mainly on the maximum flow rate the doctor prescribes, so choose according to the prescription.

2. How to use an oxygen concentrator: where to place it and how to start it step by step

Place the machine in open space with nothing blocking the vents, away from gas cookers and flames, then switch it on following the manual and set the prescribed flow rate. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises placing a concentrator in an open space to reduce the chance of device failure from overheating, and not blocking any vents.

Setting it up safely

• Do not place it against a wall or curtain, inside a cabinet or under a table.
• The NHS advises keeping the device at least 3 metres from appliances with an open flame, such as a gas cooker, and at least 1.5 metres from electrical appliances or heat sources such as a television or hair dryer, or as the device manual specifies.
• No smoking in any room where oxygen is used, and no candles, incense sticks or burning mosquito coils near the machine or tubing.
• Do not apply petroleum jelly or petroleum-based creams to the face or upper body unless the doctor or respiratory therapist advises it.
• Plug into a grounded wall socket, check the manual on whether an extension lead is allowed, and do not share the socket with other appliances.
• Route the tubing away from walkways so nobody trips.
• Fit a smoke alarm at home and keep a working fire extinguisher.

Starting it step by step

1. If a humidifier bottle has been recommended, fill it between the minimum and maximum lines and close the cap firmly.
2. Connect the oxygen tubing to the machine's outlet.
3. Switch on and wait the time stated in the manual for the machine to be ready.
4. Set the flow rate the doctor prescribed, then fit the nasal cannula on your parent.
5. Check that oxygen is actually flowing, for example bubbles in the humidifier bottle (if used) or a feeling of airflow at the prongs.

Flow rate: only as the doctor prescribed

Never increase, reduce or stop the oxygen on your own, even if your parent looks more breathless or their fingertip oxygen reading drops. The FDA warns that too much or too little oxygen can be dangerous, and NHS guidance and the US National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus both say not to change the flow yourself. If you think your parent is not getting enough oxygen, call the doctor.

Write the prescribed flow rate, the hours of use per day and the number to call if the machine has a problem on one sheet of paper and stick it to the machine. Everyone at home, including carers, will then use the same settings without guessing.

3. How to look after the humidifier, filter and tubing

There are three parts to look after: the humidifier bottle (if used), the air filter and the nasal cannula. Follow the manual of your specific model for exact intervals.

Humidifier bottle

• The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that whether to humidify should follow clinical guidance, and in some cases it is not needed. Follow the doctor's or installer's advice.
• If used, fill with distilled water between the minimum and maximum lines, never above.
• Change the water and wash the bottle as the manual says, rather than topping up old water again and again.
• The cap must be tight. A loose cap can let oxygen escape before it reaches your parent.

Air filter

The filter traps dust before air enters the machine. If it clogs, the machine works harder and runs hotter. One NHS leaflet asks for the filter to be cleaned weekly, but models differ, so follow your manual and let the filter dry completely before refitting it.

Tubing and nasal cannula

• MedlinePlus advises washing the nasal cannula once or twice a week with soap and water, rinsing well and letting it dry completely before use, and replacing it every 2 to 4 weeks; do not leave water inside the long extension tubing — wipe it on the outside and replace it on schedule, or as the manual and your supplier specify.
• Replace it straight away if it becomes stiff, cloudy or cracked.
• Check the skin behind the ears and around the nose every day. If it is red from pressure, tell the nurse.

4. Why is my oxygen concentrator noisy or alarming?

A gentle running sound and a rhythmic hiss are normal for many models, but an alarm means something is wrong. Check your parent first. If they are breathless, drowsy or their lips look blue, switch to a backup source if you have one and call 1669 immediately, then look for the cause at the machine.

Alarms a standard machine should have

WHO technical specifications require alarms for low oxygen concentration, power failure, high temperature, and abnormal flow or pressure. See your manual for what each symbol means on your model.

Check in this order

1. Power: Is the plug out? Has the breaker tripped? Is there a power cut? If so, follow section 5.
2. Oxygen tubing: Is it kinked, bent, or trapped under the mattress or a bed wheel? Is a connector loose or detached?
3. Humidifier bottle: Is the cap tight? Is it seated correctly? Is the water above the line?
4. Vents and filter: Is anything blocking them? Is the filter dirty or clogged? Is the room too hot and stuffy?
5. Low oxygen concentration: If this alarm repeats after all the checks, the machine may need servicing. Use the backup source and call the equipment provider.

If it still alarms after all the checks, or sounds very different from usual, smells of burning or feels unusually hot, switch it off, use the backup, and call the provider. Never silence the alarm and leave the machine running without knowing why.

5. What to do in a power cut: the backup plan to have before the day comes

A concentrator stops the moment the power goes off, which is why MedlinePlus advises homes using one to keep a backup oxygen tank. Plan from day one, not in the middle of the night when the lights go out.

1. Ask the doctor for a written emergency plan: which oxygen source to switch to immediately if the power fails or the machine breaks down, how many hours of backup you need, and when to call 1669. Some people should not go without oxygen at all, even briefly, so do not assume there is time to wait.
2. Arrange a backup oxygen source that needs no electricity, such as a tank from a medical gas supplier, enough for the prescribed flow rate and the time the doctor advises. (KIN HomeCare does not provide oxygen tanks.)
3. Train everyone who may be with your parent to open the backup tank valve, set the prescribed flow rate and switch the tubing from the machine to the tank.
4. Inform your local electricity authority that someone in the home depends on electricity to run medical equipment. The electricity authorities have registration channels for such households, for example an exemption from disconnection for overdue bills. Ask your local office about current conditions and documents, and follow planned outage notices for your area.
5. Keep a torch and a fully charged phone by the bed, with the equipment provider's number.
6. If you plan to use a UPS or generator, ask the machine supplier first whether it can support the machine and for how long.
7. If the power fails or the machine breaks down and your parent becomes tired, struggles to breathe or has blue lips, call 1669 immediately. Do not wait to see when the power returns.

For what to tell the dispatcher when you call an ambulance, see our home emergency and 1669 plan for older adults.

6. How much electricity does an oxygen concentrator use, and how do I work out the cost?

Work it out from the power rating (watts) on the machine's label or in the manual, because models differ and every household pays a different price per unit.

• Units per day = watts on the label × hours used per day ÷ 1,000
• Units per month = units per day × days used
• Approximate cost = units per month × your home's price per unit (from your electricity bill)

For a parent who uses oxygen almost all day, the machine runs close to 24 hours, so the bill rises noticeably. Working it out in advance helps with budgeting. Never switch the machine off or cut the hours yourself to save on electricity.

7. Which oxygen concentrator brand is best? Check these 6 points instead of the brand

No single brand suits everyone. The right machine delivers oxygen as prescribed, has a full set of alarms, and has someone to look after it when problems arise.

1. Maximum flow rate: must cover the prescribed flow and run continuously for the hours your parent needs each day.
2. Oxygen concentration: WHO technical specifications call for concentrated oxygen above 82%, preferably above 90%, with a built-in oxygen monitor.
3. Noise level: WHO specifications set it below 60 dB(A). In a bedroom, the quieter the better for your parent's and the family's sleep.
4. Alarms: at minimum for power failure, low oxygen concentration, high temperature and abnormal flow.
5. Service and spare parts: someone to repair it, spare parts available, and a loan machine during repairs.
6. Legal medical device status: manufactured or imported in line with Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) requirements; you can check the licence number in the Thai FDA search system.

If your parent needs to fly with a portable oxygen concentrator, the doctor must complete the airline's medical form and the airline must approve it first. Read more in flying with an elderly parent who uses a wheelchair.

8. Symptoms that need hospital care even while using a concentrator

If your parent's condition changes despite using oxygen as prescribed, contact the doctor, and if symptoms are severe, call 1669 immediately.

• Call 1669 immediately if your parent is so breathless they cannot finish a sentence, has blue lips or fingertips, becomes drowsy or hard to wake, or is suddenly confused.
• Contact the doctor if breathing becomes slow, shallow, difficult or irregular, if they have frequent headaches, or tire more easily than usual.
• A fingertip oxygen reading below 94% with breathlessness means contact the doctor; a repeat reading of 92% or lower means call 1669. (For parents with chronic lung disease, follow the target set by their doctor.) For how to measure accurately, see how to read a pulse oximeter.

Mistakes families often make

• Adjusting the flow when your parent looks tired. Increasing or reducing oxygen yourself can be dangerous. Use the prescribed flow and call the doctor.
• Placing the machine against a wall or behind a curtain to keep the room tidy. It overheats and malfunctions. Place it in open space.
• Having no power-cut plan, and discovering the problem when the machine stops at night. Get a written emergency plan from the doctor and arrange a backup from day one.
• Silencing the alarm and leaving it without knowing the cause. Check your parent first, then work through the checks in section 4.
• Smoking or lighting flames near the machine in the belief that only tanks are a fire risk. Oxygen from a concentrator also makes fire burn more easily. Ban both completely in that room.

When to bring in a professional team

If you have just started oxygen at home, your parent has lung or heart disease that can change quickly, or no one is home during the day, having someone who knows the machine and whom to notify saves the family from panicking every time it beeps.

• Oxygen concentrator rental: 5-litre machine, 45 dB, THB 2,200 per month (deposit THB 5,700); 10-litre machine for continuous 24-hour use, THB 4,000 per month (deposit THB 11,600). Delivery covers Bangkok and its surrounding provinces at THB 1,200 per trip, free for rentals of 3 months or more. The team delivers, installs and demonstrates at home, and machines are disinfected before handover. Available to rent or buy; for purchase prices, call 061-881-9399 (+66 61 881 9399). See medical equipment rental.
• Registered nurse home visit: assesses your parent, checks oxygen use against the doctor's plan, and teaches the family to use and maintain the machine. THB 1,800 per visit. See home nursing.
• Caregiver (nursing assistant): measures vital signs, keeps records, keeps the tubing and machine ready, and alerts the family when the machine alarms or symptoms change. 12-hour shift THB 1,800 per day (minimum 3 days); 24-hour live-in THB 2,500 per day. See elderly home care.

Frequently asked questions

How do I use an oxygen concentrator for the first time?

Place it in open space, attach the humidifier bottle if recommended, connect the tubing, switch on and wait until it is ready per the manual, set the prescribed flow, then fit the nasal cannula. For the first time, ask the installer to demonstrate to everyone at home.

What should I do when the oxygen concentrator alarms?

Check your parent first. If they are breathless, drowsy or have blue lips, use the backup source and call 1669. If they are fine, check power, tubing, humidifier, vents and filter in that order. If it keeps alarming, call the equipment provider.

Can I use an oxygen concentrator during a power cut?

No, except a portable model with a battery, which runs only as long as its battery lasts. Homes using a concentrator should therefore have a backup oxygen source that needs no electricity, and get a written emergency plan from the doctor in advance. Some people should not go without oxygen at all; if the power fails or the machine breaks down and your parent becomes tired, struggles to breathe or has blue lips, call 1669 immediately.

How much electricity does an oxygen concentrator use per month?

It depends on the machine's wattage, the hours used and your price per unit. Work it out as watts on the label × hours per day ÷ 1,000 × days × price per unit from your bill. A machine running nearly 24 hours a day raises the bill noticeably.

How many hours does an oxygen tank last?

It depends on the tank size and the prescribed flow. For a rough estimate, divide the volume of oxygen gas the tank holds (litres, not the cylinder's water capacity) by the flow rate (litres per minute) to get minutes, then divide by 60 for hours. This assumes a full tank; for a used tank, ask the supplier to calculate from the gauge, and always keep a reserve.

Which oxygen concentrator brand is best?

Don't go by brand. Check that the machine delivers the prescribed flow, meets oxygen concentration standards, runs quietly, has a full set of alarms, has service and spare parts, and complies with Thai FDA medical device rules.

Talk to the KIN HomeCare team

If the doctor has just prescribed home oxygen for your parent, or the family is unsure about using the machine and preparing for power cuts, tell our team the prescribed flow rate, how many hours a day it is needed and who is at home with your parent. We will help you decide whether to start with renting a machine, a nurse visit or a caregiver.

• Call 061-881-9399 (+66 61 881 9399) for elderly care, nursing and equipment rental
• LINE @KINHOMECARE
• Free consultation: our team helps you work out which service fits before you decide
• Home care services nationwide across Thailand

This information is general guidance for families and does not replace advice from your parent's doctor.

Prepared by the KIN HomeCare team · Prices as of September 2026; please confirm with our staff before booking.