How much does it cost to run an oxygen concentrator?
An oxygen concentrator costs about 5.4¢ per hour, $1.30 a day, $39.43 a month and $473 a year at typical use (24 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Stationary 5 L/min concentrators draw 280-350 W and many patients run them 24/7, about 2,600 kWh a year. Medicare's oxygen payment is meant to cover electricity, and many utilities offer medical rate discounts.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portable (charging/running) | 50 | 0.9¢ | 22¢ | $6.57 | $79 |
| 5 L/min home unit | 300 | 5.4¢ | $1.30 | $39.43 | $473 |
| 10 L/min home unit | 550 | 9.9¢ | $2.37 | $72.28 | $867 |
At 24 hours a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.30 | 5.4¢ | $1.64 | $20 |
| 2 hours | 0.60 | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
| 4 hours | 1.20 | 22¢ | $6.57 | $79 |
| 8 hours | 2.40 | 43¢ | $13.14 | $158 |
| 12 hours | 3.60 | 65¢ | $19.71 | $237 |
| 24 hours | 7.20 | $1.30 | $39.43 | $473 |
Cost to run an oxygen concentrator in every state
The same oxygen concentrator costs $324 a year in North Dakota and $1,144 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 3.7¢ | $27.00 | $324 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 3.8¢ | $27.72 | $333 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 3.9¢ | $28.18 | $338 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 3.9¢ | $28.47 | $342 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 4.0¢ | $29.19 | $350 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 4.0¢ | $29.28 | $351 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 4.0¢ | $29.43 | $353 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 4.1¢ | $29.72 | $357 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 4.1¢ | $30.02 | $360 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 4.2¢ | $30.33 | $364 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 4.2¢ | $30.51 | $366 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 4.2¢ | $30.57 | $367 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 4.2¢ | $30.70 | $368 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 4.2¢ | $30.94 | $371 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 4.2¢ | $30.97 | $372 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 4.3¢ | $31.12 | $373 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 4.4¢ | $32.37 | $388 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 4.4¢ | $32.37 | $388 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 4.5¢ | $33.07 | $397 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 4.5¢ | $33.14 | $398 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 4.6¢ | $33.57 | $403 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 4.6¢ | $33.73 | $405 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 4.6¢ | $33.75 | $405 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 4.6¢ | $33.92 | $407 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 4.7¢ | $33.97 | $408 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 4.7¢ | $34.28 | $411 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 4.8¢ | $34.98 | $420 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 4.9¢ | $35.55 | $427 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 4.9¢ | $36.03 | $432 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 4.9¢ | $36.12 | $433 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 5.0¢ | $36.34 | $436 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 5.1¢ | $37.12 | $445 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 5.3¢ | $38.99 | $468 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 5.5¢ | $39.99 | $480 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 5.6¢ | $41.07 | $493 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 5.6¢ | $41.18 | $494 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 6.2¢ | $45.36 | $544 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 6.3¢ | $46.09 | $553 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 6.3¢ | $46.13 | $554 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 7.1¢ | $52.11 | $625 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 7.1¢ | $52.16 | $626 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 7.3¢ | $53.03 | $636 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 8.0¢ | $58.45 | $701 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 8.1¢ | $58.84 | $706 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 8.4¢ | $61.34 | $736 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 8.5¢ | $62.22 | $747 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 8.8¢ | $64.15 | $770 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 8.8¢ | $64.23 | $771 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 9.1¢ | $66.69 | $800 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 9.9¢ | $72.30 | $868 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 13¢ | $95.35 | $1,144 |
How to cut the cost
- Apply for your utility's medical baseline or medical equipment discount program.
- Keep the intake filter clean (wash weekly) so the compressor doesn't work harder.
- Ask your doctor whether a lower flow setting is appropriate; newer units draw less at lower flow.
- Use a modern energy-efficient model (Inogen At Home ~280 W vs older units at 400 W+).
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Newer units draw 20-40% less than older stationary concentrators.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxygen concentrator | 300 | 24 hours a day | $39.43 | $473 |
| CPAP machine | 55 | 8 hours a day | $2.50 | $30 |
| Heating pad | 50 | 1 hour a day | $0.19 | $2 |
| Massage chair | 200 | 30 minutes a day | $0.93 | $11 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an oxygen concentrator per hour?
An oxygen concentrator drawing 300 watts uses 0.30 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 5.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 3.7¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 13¢.
How much does it cost to run an oxygen concentrator per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day), an oxygen concentrator costs about $39.43 a month and $473 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an oxygen concentrator use?
Most oxygen concentrators use 40 to 600 watts, depending on the setting (portable (charging/running) 50 W, 5 l/min home unit 300 W, 10 l/min home unit 550 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an oxygen concentrator use?
About 7.20 kWh a day and 2,630 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day).
Does an oxygen concentrator use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 2,630 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 25% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run an oxygen concentrator or a CPAP machine?
At typical use, an oxygen concentrator costs about $473 a year versus $30 for a CPAP machine. So the CPAP machine is cheaper by about $443 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an oxygen concentrator?
- Apply for your utility's medical baseline or medical equipment discount program.
- Keep the intake filter clean (wash weekly) so the compressor doesn't work harder.
- Ask your doctor whether a lower flow setting is appropriate; newer units draw less at lower flow.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.