The gasket needs replacing if it is cracked, deformed, or will not seal properly. To replace, remove the old gasket from the humidifier and insert a new gasket into the groove on the humidifier chamber, making sure it fits snugly. Throw away the old gasket.
Return On Warranty Issues Only
Specifications
CPAP.com always offers these services:
8 am to 10 pm CST Toll Free Phone and Email Support
24 hour access to our CPAPtalk.com Support Forum
Learning Center for information on sleep apnea and cpap equipment
Consumer Purchasing Trends Reports
Product Evaluation Results from our Product Challenges
Warranty Services for all items purchased through CPAP.com
Insurance Compliant Invoices
Free Prescription Request System
Manufacturer Note:
We are only authorized to sell and ship Philips Respironics products to end-users residing in the United States.
Philips Respironics recommends that new patients purchase their devices, masks and initial accessories from a homecare company that can provide an individualized patient equipment set-up, clinical and after-sales support, and a program to assist patients with therapy success.
Important Tips
When cleaning the humidifier, it is safe to place the humidifier container only on the top rack of a dishwasher. Excessive heat during washing and drying can damage the plastic. DO NOT place the tubing or gasket in the dishwasher.
When using a dishwasher, Respironics recommends that the
humidifier be washed separately and that the water temperature be at least 130° F (54° C).
"Our local medical supply store said they could not locate these replacement gaskets for us. I was very happy to find these online. The communication was immediate and the gaskets were delivered very quickly. We would definately go back to this company for future needs."
Carmine C, NJ – February 08, 2011
"The gasket was long overdue to be replaced. I was constanty filling the humidifier with water every night because of leakage. Now NO leakage and no annoying air leaks at night. Also easy to install."
Are prescriptions required for mask, machine and/or humidifier purchases?
Yes. Federal law requires we have a valid prescription on file before we ship your mask, machine and/or humidifier.
We provide many easy ways to get your prescription:
We can request your prescription for you! When you checkout, just let us know you would like us to request your prescription, or you can log into your account to have us request your prescription.
Fax your prescription to our Toll Free fax number: 1-866-353-2727, or our international fax number: 713-541-7370
For more information on prescriptions, please see our Prescription Section of the Learning Center.
What are the CPAP, BiPAP and Sleep Apnea related billing codes?
EO601 RR is CPAP Rental
E0601 NU is CPAP Purchase
A7034 is CPAP Mask
A7032 is CPAP Nasal mask cushion
A7033 is CPAP Nasal pillows
A7030 is CPAP Full face mask
A7031 is CPAP Full face mask cushion
A7044 is CPAP Oral interface
A7027 is CPAP Hybrid mask
A7028 is CPAP Hybrid mask cushion
A7029 is CPAP Hybrid mask nasal pillow
A7046 is CPAP Humidifier chamber
A7037 is CPAP Tubing, long and short hoses
A4604 is CPAP Heated tubing
A7038 is CPAP Disposable filter
A7039 is CPAP Gross particle (foam) filter
A7035 is CPAP Headgear
A7036 is CPAP Chinstrap
E0561 NU is CPAP Passover humidifier
E0562 NU is CPAP Heated humidifier
E0470 RR is BiPAP Rental
E0470 NU is BiPAP Purchase
E0471 RR is BiPAP-ST Rental
E0471 NU is BiPAP-ST Purchase
Other CPAP items are listed under E1399, which is miscellaneous.
What is a heated humidifier?
A heated humidifier uses heat to warm the water to add moisture to the airstream. The heat is adjustable for more or less moisture. The water chamber for a heated humidifier is much smaller than a passover humidifier.
In our considerable experience of specializing in CPAP equipment we have found that patients who use a heated humidifier have a much higher rate of effectiveness to their CPAP therapy.
There are three types of heated humidifiers:
Stand Alone Humidifiers
Integrated Humidifiers
Built In Humidifiers
What is a passover humidifier?
A passover humidifier uses a chamber of room temperature water with the CPAP to add moisture to the airflow and reduce irritation to the nasal passages.
Air flows from the CPAP through a short hose to the humidifier chamber where the air "passes over" the water to pick up whatever moisture it can. The air then flows into the six foot hose to the mask.
Passover humidifiers may provide sufficient moisture with CPAPs set at lower-end pressures. However, if the moisture is not sufficient there is no way to increase the amount of moisture added. Furthermore, because the water is room temperature, in cold climates the water temperature will drop causing the CPAP air to become very cold and the amount of moisture will be reduced
What is an integrated humidifier?
An integrated humidifier is used with a specific CPAP and fits directly onto the machine. This eliminates the need for a second hose, and with most heated humidifiers the need for a second power cord.
The advantages of an integrated humidifier are that it works very closely with the CPAP machine and is a compact unit that uses fewer parts.
A disadvantage is that if it is being used as a passover humidifier it will produce less moisture because the surface area is typically smaller. An integrated humidifier will function only with the CPAP for which it was designed.
You can see if your machine has an integrated humidifier option by reviewing our Compare Charts.
An example of an integrated humidifier is the PR System One Heated Humidifier as seen below attached to a machine in the PR System One line.
What is a built in humidifier?
A "built in" humidifier is designed as a part of the CPAP machine and cannot be removed or separated from the CPAP machine. As with an integrted humidifier, it eliminates the need for a second hose or power cord. The water chamber can be removed for cleaning or replacement purposes.
The advantage of a "built in" humidifier is it makes for a more compact unit with fewer parts. This design also helps to ensure therapy effectiveness by including the heated humidifier with the CPAP machine thereby providing comfort to the CPAP user.
A disadvantage is that a built in humidifier may produce less moisture if used as passover because the surface area is typically smaller. Also, since the humidifier is "built in" to the machine, detaching it is not an option. This can be an issue for frequent travelers. Lastly, if the machine or humidifier stops working, the entire unit must be sent in for repair or replacement, not just the component that failed.
A stand alone humidifier is a component that will work with any CPAP and does not attach directly to the machine. It has its own power cord and a short hose is used to connect it to the CPAP. Generally it will sit next to the CPAP machine and is slightly larger than an integrated humidifier.
The advantage of a stand alone humidifier is the fact that it may be used with any CPAP machine.
The main disadvantages are that the size is often larger than either a "built in" or integrated humidifier and that a short hose is needed to connect it to the CPAP machine.
Rainout is the accumulation of water in a CPAP tube due to warm moist air cooling and condensating on its way from your CPAP machine to your CPAP mask.
The image below from Fisher & Paykel explains how rainout is formed. Warm moist air leaves the heated humidifier and travels down the CPAP tube. As the air travels down the tube the room temperature can cool the tube and therefore cool the air traveling down the tube. As the air cools, it releases its moisture and condensation occurs, otherwise known as rainout.
Solutions to rainout include:
Raising the temperature of your bedroom.
Keep your CPAP machine at the same level as your bed.
Insulating your tubing with a hose cover like Snugglehose.
Purchasing a CPAP machine with a rainout reduction comfort feature.
How do I care for my humidifier?
To care for your humidifier simply empty and clean the water tank each morning. Only distilled water should be used in the humidifier to avoid mineral deposit build up.
Why do I need to use distilled water with in my humidifier chamber?
Use distilled water to help keep the humidifier chamber clean and mineral deposit free. Tap water should not be used as it will leave hard white mineral deposits in the chamber as the water evaporates, or it may lead to mold growth. Cases of lung disease have been connected to using contaminated well water in a CPAP humidifier.* Source
If distilled water is not available where you live, use bottled water. It will be important to clean the chamber each morning, do not leave standing water the chamber between uses.
What does a humidifier prescription need to say?
Contains one of the following words or phrases "CPAP Humidifier", "Humidifier", "HH", "CPAP Supplies", "CPAP Mask", "CPAP", "Continuous Positive Airway Pressure", "APAP", "AutoPAP", "AutoSet", "Auto CPAP", "Auto Adjusting CPAP", "Self Adjusting CPAP", "BiPAP", "BiLevel", "VPAP", "BiPAP Auto", "BiPAP ST", "Synchrony ST", "VPAP ST"