What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

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Starlette
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What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by Starlette » Thu May 26, 2011 10:01 pm

Good evening everyone.

Just checked my cpap which as 2029 total hours of usage.
QUESTION: How long can I expect to use it before poops out on me?
From what I thought I read on this forum is that our machine have a certain lifespan.

Starlette

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GTOJim
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by GTOJim » Thu May 26, 2011 10:30 pm

They usually last a number of years, insurance allows replacement every 5 years. I had one die after 5 years, provided 14,000 to 15,000 hours of use.

I got a new S9 last June, ResMed replaced it under warranty with a new machine 2 months ago.

You never know for sure, it's best to have a backup machine. Took 2 weeks turn around time for my S9 replacement. I live in California, S9 was shipped to
ResMed in California, people on the east coast would have longer wait due to shipping across country. I used my backup machine after when my old machine died while waiting to
get my first S9 then again for two weeks when it was replaced under warranty.

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Breathe Jimbo
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by Breathe Jimbo » Thu May 26, 2011 10:43 pm

The "once in 5 years" limitation does NOT apply to all insurance. You need to read what your insurance policy (technically, the certificate of coverage) says about durable medical equipment.

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tomjax
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by tomjax » Fri May 27, 2011 7:33 am

This question is very difficult to definitively answer.
If you get a large enough sample for statistics, it will likely follow normal distribution.

Some will last 5 minutes, some will be working fine MANY years later.

I have had 2 machines die on me anad cannot remember the numbers.

Again,
No easy answer and no answer will apply to a specific machine.

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JeffH
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by JeffH » Fri May 27, 2011 7:38 am

My old Sullivan V lasted for over 7 years and was going strong when I gave it away.

I've had two M series die before their 3rd birthday (No more Respronics for me)

JeffH

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LittleRedTruck
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by LittleRedTruck » Fri May 27, 2011 7:56 am

My Respironics Bipap auto has over 14,000 hours, over 5 years old, never a repair! Im seeing my Dr next week about a new one. Ill keep this one for a backup! Dan

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Sleepy Taz
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by Sleepy Taz » Fri May 27, 2011 9:56 am

I used my first machine over 10 years and the only reason they let me get a new one was because the tool needed to adjust the pressure was no longer available so they could not change mine. If you take care of them they will last but it is nice to keep up with the new technologies that make Cpap more tolerable. My first one was loud and the breathing pattern actually sounded like Darth Vader.
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by ClayL » Fri May 27, 2011 11:08 am

My machine died at about three years - roughly 7500 hours - just died again a couple of months ago at about 12600 hours.
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BernieRay
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by BernieRay » Fri May 27, 2011 12:04 pm

My first machine, a Nidek Silenzio, had over 30,000 hours on it when it died last November. 13 years, 10 beyond the warranty. It didn't collect data and was straight CPAP, but it did it's job far beyond what it was designed for. It was worth the $2000 it cost in 1997.

If my S9 makes it 3, I'd consider it an even trade.

Luckily, my insurance replaces everything on a flexible schedule as long as I don't abuse or neglect it, so I don't have to worry about that. It would be nice to be able to buy a machine as well made as my Nidek. Sigh...
Ray
Diagnosed in 1997

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Uncle_Bob
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by Uncle_Bob » Fri May 27, 2011 12:51 pm

Starlette wrote:Good evening everyone.

Just checked my cpap which as 2029 total hours of usage.
QUESTION: How long can I expect to use it before poops out on me?
From what I thought I read on this forum is that our machine have a certain lifespan.

Starlette
It seems that unless you get unlucky these machines can go on for years.

If you were to choose to keep it running until it dies then i could recommend getting the pressure checked and the machine calibrated if required every so often.

It may not be pooped out just yet but it could be blowing at the wrong pressure.

-UB

GTOJim
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by GTOJim » Fri May 27, 2011 5:18 pm

Uncle_Bob wrote:
Starlette wrote:Good evening everyone.

Just checked my cpap which as 2029 total hours of usage.
QUESTION: How long can I expect to use it before poops out on me?
From what I thought I read on this forum is that our machine have a certain lifespan.

Starlette
It seems that unless you get unlucky these machines can go on for years.

If you were to choose to keep it running until it dies then i could recommend getting the pressure checked and the machine calibrated if required every so often.

It may not be pooped out just yet but it could be blowing at the wrong pressure.

-UB
Very good point. I stated my machine died at 14,000 to 15,000 hours. Actually it was still working but it was putting out a minimum pressure of 22 when it was set at
15. DME wanted me to pay for a rental CPAP and send mine out for repairs. Repair costs were unknown. It was 5 years old so I decided to get a new machine as the
technology keeps improving. Since the blower in my old machine was still working great, I doubt it would be replaced during the repair process. With unknown repair
costs and the original blower with 14,000 to 15,000 hours, it might not have a very long life span left.

I keep a back up machine, I wouldn't have had the added expense of a rental.

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DaveMunson
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by DaveMunson » Fri May 27, 2011 6:25 pm

My first one was 5 years. My second is still good but I started a S9 after one year.

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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by robertjvan » Fri May 27, 2011 6:53 pm

Hard to say. My First lasted 10+ years, old Insurance only replaced it if was non repairable. I retired and got a new Policy and I got a new machine, as the old one was still working I put it into storage .

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tata
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by tata » Sat Jul 30, 2011 1:03 am

Mine last for 2 years but there is a warranty so a got anew one.

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archangle
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Re: What is the Average Lifespan of a CPAP machine?

Post by archangle » Sat Jul 30, 2011 1:14 am

Newer models have a battery in them that keeps the real time clock going. The battery is not user replaceable, and the user cannot set the time once it goes bad. After the battery runs down, I think the machine will still work, but the data recording will probably be screwed up.

I'm making a wild guess that the battery will last 5 to 7 years.

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