Category: Oxygen Therapy | Reading time: 7-8 min | Published by Sanjeevia Medical
| The pulmonologist walks out after rounds and tells you: your father needs supplemental oxygen at home. He hands you a prescription. It says 2 LPM, 16 hours daily. You have no idea what that means, what machine you need, or whether you can actually manage this at home. |
You can. And this guide will tell you exactly how.
An oxygen concentrator is the most common home oxygen device prescribed in India today. It is not complicated to use, does not require medical training to operate, and is far more practical for home use than cylinders in most situations. Here is everything you need to understand before renting one.
Room air is approximately 21% oxygen. An oxygen concentrator pulls in room air, removes the nitrogen through a molecular sieve, and delivers oxygen at concentrations of 87 to 96 percent directly to the patient through a nasal cannula or mask.
It runs on standard household electricity. It does not store oxygen. It produces it continuously, on demand, as long as it is plugged in. This is its biggest practical advantage over cylinders: it never runs out as long as there is power.
The flow rate, measured in litres per minute (LPM), is set by your doctor based on the patient’s oxygen saturation levels and diagnosis. Common prescriptions range from 1 LPM for mild cases to 5 LPM for more significant respiratory conditions. Some patients with COPD or post-COVID lung damage need 10 LPM or higher, which requires a higher-capacity machine.
Oxygen therapy at home is prescribed by a doctor based on blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurements. It is not a self-diagnosis decision. If your doctor has prescribed it, the answer is yes. If you are trying to decide whether to call the doctor, here are the situations where home oxygen is commonly prescribed:
If the patient is experiencing breathlessness at rest, SpO2 consistently below 94%, or has been discharged with a written oxygen prescription, a concentrator is needed. Do not delay getting one based on the assumption that the situation will improve on its own.
The most important specification on any concentrator is its maximum flow rate, measured in litres per minute.
| Specification | 5 Litre Concentrator | 10 Litre Concentrator |
| Max flow rate | Up to 5 LPM | Up to 10 LPM |
| Oxygen purity at max flow | 90-95% | 90-95% |
| Typical patient | COPD mild-moderate, post-COVID recovery, ILD early stage | Severe COPD, high-flow oxygen prescriptions, dual-patient use |
| Power consumption | Lower (approx. 150-300W) | Higher (approx. 350-500W) |
| Weight and size | Compact, approx. 14-18 kg | Larger, approx. 20-28 kg |
| Cost to rent | View current pricing | View current pricing |
Rule: Always follow your doctor’s prescription. If the prescription says 3 LPM, a 5L concentrator is sufficient. If it says 6 LPM or above, you need a 10L machine.
| Brand / Model | Country | Key Strength | Best For |
| Philips EverFlo 5L | USA | Industry benchmark. Quiet at 40dB. Continuous duty rated. | Long-term use, noise-sensitive patients, doctor-specified Philips |
| Niscomed 5L | India | Reliable, widely serviced. Good value. | Standard home use, cost-conscious families |
| Evox 5L | India | Compact design, good portability within home | Patients who need to move the unit between rooms |
| Medoxy 5L | India | Dependable performance. Good availability in NCR. | Standard home use |
| Medoxy 10L / Niscomed 10L | India | High-flow capability | High-flow prescriptions above 5 LPM |
| Philips Portable | USA | Battery-powered, travel-ready | Patients who need oxygen mobility outdoors |
If your doctor has specified a brand, follow that. If no brand is specified, the Philips EverFlo is the gold standard for long-term home oxygen therapy. For shorter recovery periods, Indian brands provide reliable performance at lower cost.
| Factor | Oxygen Concentrator | Oxygen Cylinder |
| Supply | Continuous, unlimited (while powered) | Finite, runs out and needs refilling |
| Power dependency | Requires electricity | No electricity needed |
| Best use | Primary home oxygen for daily therapy | Backup during power cuts, short outings |
| Running cost | Electricity only | Refill cost per cylinder use |
| Safety | No high-pressure storage | Pressurised vessel, needs careful handling |
| Recommended setup | Concentrator as primary plus cylinder as backup | Cylinder only for short-term or backup needs |
For most home oxygen patients in Delhi NCR, the right setup is: a concentrator as the primary source, plus one 47L cylinder as a power backup. Delhi has frequent power cuts. A cylinder backup is not optional for any patient on 15 or more hours of daily oxygen therapy.
Q: How loud is an oxygen concentrator?
The Philips EverFlo runs at approximately 40 decibels, similar to a quiet refrigerator hum. Indian brand concentrators are slightly louder, typically 45 to 50 decibels. Placing the unit slightly away from the patient’s head reduces the perceived noise.
Q: How much electricity does it use?
A 5L concentrator uses approximately 150 to 300 watts. Running 16 hours daily at an average of 200 watts costs roughly 3.2 units of electricity per day. At Delhi residential rates, this is approximately Rs.20 to Rs.25 per day in additional electricity cost.
Q: What happens during a power cut?
The concentrator stops producing oxygen immediately when power goes. This is why a cylinder backup is essential. Keep your backup cylinder ready with regulator attached and the valve closed. When power goes, open the cylinder valve, set the flow rate on the regulator to match the prescription, and connect to the patient’s cannula.
Q: Does the concentrator need servicing during the rental?
Sanjeevia handles all servicing. If the concentrator is not performing correctly, contact us. We respond within 1 hour and resolve within 4 hours for critical equipment.
Q: What is the minimum rental period?
One month. Duration discounts apply: 5% off for two months, 10% off for three months, 20% off for six months. Most COPD patients rent for three to six months.
| Browse all oxygen concentrators on Sanjeevia View current pricing Read our FAQ on oxygen equipment WhatsApp us: +91 92179 10612 |
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Medical Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Equipment selection and home care decisions should be guided by your treating physician. Consult your doctor for all clinical decisions.
Published by Sanjeevia Medical | sanjeevia.com | Delhi NCR