How long do machines last?

[littlebaddow]

As a self paying patient, I'm interested in the relative life expectancy of the various brands of machine.

My remstar auto with cflex (the old model) recently expired after about 4 years and 10,000 hours of trouble free use. I remember my doctor once telling me the average life expectancy of machines was 5 to 7 years.

How does this compare with your experience?

[Guest]

As a self paying patient, I'm interested in the relative life expectancy of the various brands of machine.

My remstar auto with cflex (the old model) recently expired after about 4 years and 10,000 hours of trouble free use. I remember my doctor once telling me the average life expectancy of machines was 5 to 7 years.

How does this compare with your experience?

Your doctor is right on. I have seen machines still work after 15 years though. Most last around 5-7 years though.

[Bluebonnet_Gal]

I've only been on xPAP since Dec, so I don't have personal experience with life expectancy of a machine, but I'd like to pass on a recommendation from me DME which makes sense to me. He suggested changing the filter on the machine more often (say every 2 months) to increase the life of the machine. Seems to make sense to me to keep it as clean as possible!

[Paul56]

I am past the 1000 hour mark with my machine and have had no glitches. So, I expect the machine has safely made it past the initial point where manufacturing defects/component issues would show up.

I am expecting to get at least 5 years out of the machine which I figure will be well over 10,000 hours. Well before then I hope to pickup a 2nd machine as a backup unit in case this one fails.

If I'm still on xPAP 5 years from now I will likely purchase a new machine even if the old one is still functioning. What with the development of new technologies/software perhaps the systems 5 years from now will provide better therapy than the current batch.

[DME Daddy]

Our DME see many worn out CPAP units. We expect to see at least 10,000 hours before failure. The average is roughly 14,000 but some units have managed more than 20,000 hours.

[littlebaddow]

Thanks all for the feedback. Sounds like I was a little unlucky but not unreasonably so!
Do any of the different brands have the reputation for relatively short or long life?

[nate fry]

I have the same machine and have 14,000 hours on it. It still runs fine.