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+--- Thread: When to get a new machine (/Thread-When-to-get-a-new-machine)
When to get a new machine - HighlandRay - 11-30-2020
Hello all,
I wondering when do you all recommend getting a new cpap machine? How many years do you figure a machine should be good for if you are using it every night and also are there signs to watch for for when it is starting to lose performance? Do the blowers tend to lose power over time?
Thanks
Ray
RE: When to get a new machine - SarcasticDave94 - 11-30-2020
Welcome to the Apnea Board.
I typically consider 5 years and 15-20K hours as about the lifespan of a PAP. If yours is at these or past, get ready to replace soon. I'd suggest you try for a ResMed instead. These are able to offer better and more comfortable therapy as the ResMed acts faster to combat events. This faster response allows a bit lower pressure and still have good therapy results.
RE: When to get a new machine - Sleeprider - 11-30-2020
Conventional wisdom is a machine is reliable as long as it works...at least according to insurance companies. Most insurance anticipates replacement after 5-years, or when a non-repairable malfunction happens. If my machine is over 15,000 hours, I'm getting serious about a replacement, and that is 5-years of 8-hours per day, plus some cool-down. If you wait until it no longer functions, that is critical for some of us. A standby machine is a great idea if you can do it. Mean time between failure is probably between 5 and 8 years of normal use. Don't wait for the clock to tick to zero.
RE: When to get a new machine - car54 - 11-30-2020
I agree with the above but it also depends upon your financial situation and insurance. When your machine is getting older it is a good idea to get a new or newer one and use the old one as a back up. If you have time on your hand you can get some excellent deals on craigslist.
car54
RE: When to get a new machine - packtheknife - 12-01-2020
I was wondering the same thing.
I am coming up on the end of the 4th year, and have used my Philips bipap for an average of 358 days a yr, about 5.7 hrs per night, for a total of 8160 hrs.
Its not showing any signs of wearing down yet. I have an old Philips System One 750P that I bought about 6 yr ago on Craigslist with about half as many hours and I still use it as a backup and on trips (which are very few).
I noticed the other day that the machines are coming down in price, and are now about half of what they were 4 or so years ago. I notice the same thing in hearing aids, as I have to have for hearing loss.
Is this price decline expected to continue or is this just a "blip in the curve"?
RE: When to get a new machine - SarcasticDave94 - 12-01-2020
I'd think the downward trend in the price is linked to the age of the machine generation.
RE: When to get a new machine - Sleeprider - 12-01-2020
I don't know where you guys are seeing price reduction. We used to easily find machines under $500 before Amazon got serious about keeping them off their site. Prices went up significantly on the open market after that, and have dropped back only slightly from what I have seen. Keep in mind, the manufacturers only sell through their distribution network, and it is the machines that find their way out of that channel that are available other than through DMEs and online authorized sellers. With minimum advertised price enforcement, you just don't see a lot of "deals".
RE: When to get a new machine - SarcasticDave94 - 12-01-2020
FWIW my price comment is only applicable to member packtheknife's post on seeing pricing going down. I myself have not seen any downward trend on PAP machine pricing.
RE: When to get a new machine - dapal - 12-01-2020
Hi all,
Thinking to buy an extra for using at home and my friend’s home no need to bring along with. Had any problems be with my Medicare insurance watching time of machine use?
Isn’t that true that Medicare pay for new machine every 5 years?
RE: When to get a new machine - Big Guy - 12-01-2020
As others have already mentioned, I see some very good deals from time to time on CL.