how often humidifier [water] chamber should be replaced?

Hi,

The insurance provides new humidifier [water] chamber for my ResMed Adapt SV every 3 months.

Question:

How often should it be replaced?

There's certainly small co-pay involved in receiving it, so unless it needs to be changed routinely, I am not sure if I want to pay for it every 3 months.

Thanks,
sleepgem

1. When it leaks.
2. When it gets grungy and film covered (from dissolved minerals).

It's nice to have a spare in case something happens to it. My original is 6 months old and still working fine.
If you use only distilled water and clean it at least once a week it shouldn't get grungy.

I'm still on my first. Only new to therapy for 2 months. But, if my insurance will pay for a new one
at say 6mos (not sure), then I will do it, mainly to have a backup.
\

I used the same water chamber for 7 years. Got a S9 last June so that is my main machine these days. Every once in awhile I use use my old machine with the original water chamber, used it last week for a few days.

Yep - never replaced mine. 3+ years now.

My F&P humidifier is one year old still looks like new as I clean it every so often with vinegar and water.....my M series I've had for just over a month but I bought it used from another member, god only knows how old it actually is. By replacing stuff at a certain time frame is the reason your healthcare premiums are so high.
You don't need to replace the humidifier until it leaks and it only gets grungy if you don't clean it properly. The only duplicates I have are
2 machines - 1 I bought used
1 extra hose
1 extra mask
extra filters for each machine
When you have to pay for everything out of your own pocked you learn the art of frugality, and I don't feel entitled just because "they will give it to me so I must take it". Too bad healthcare has been exploited so badly, its no wonder premiums have skyrocked. Excuse me and my soap box, that's a pet peeve of mine........people that take advantage of the system costs us all.

I use only distilled water in mine but I must admit sometimes I don't empty the chamber in the morning. I have always had 1 in use and 1 in reserve. Insurance will replace it every 6 months so I will get another one then. I also will order another mask and hose in 3 months for emergencys (if the new insurance that takes effect July1 doesn't make it cost prohibitive).

Louise

I add distilled water to my H51 humidifier when it gets too low for a night of therapy. I also clean my humidifier tank about every 2 months with Dawn dishsoap and rinse very carefully, drip dry and refill that night with Distilled water. I buy my Distilled water at the grocery store and it runs between $.70 to $1.29 a gallon depending on the grocery or drug store prices. I started in February this year with the jug I am currently using and it still isn't empty, and my insurance co (UHC) does not pay for it on my policy , at least not for CPAP use. if you use distilled water and don't keep the chamber open for longer than refills or cleanings, it won't get grungy in most cases. Mine doesn't have any grunge or film or discoloration since I started using CPAP.