For patients with chronic lung disease (COPD), heart failure, post-COVID conditions, or elderly people with breathing difficulties, having a home oxygen supply gives families peace of mind and reduces hospital admissions. But should you rent an oxygen concentrator or a cylinder, what capacity do you need, and what will it cost? This article summarises how to choose and provides real rental prices.
What is the difference between an oxygen concentrator and an oxygen cylinder?
Both devices deliver oxygen, but they work differently and suit different situations. Choosing the right one saves money and improves safety.
| Criteria | Oxygen Concentrator | Oxygen Cylinder |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen source | Filters oxygen from room air; requires electricity | Pre-compressed oxygen stored in the cylinder |
| Duration of use | Continuous, long-term | Limited; needs refilling or swapping |
| Power dependency | Yes (requires electricity) | No (works during power cuts) |
| Best suited for | Daily home oxygen therapy | Backup, transport, power outages |
Practical tip: many families opt for a combination — one oxygen concentrator for daily primary use, plus one oxygen cylinder on standby for power outages or when taking the patient to medical appointments.
Should you choose a 5L or 10L oxygen concentrator?
- 5L machine: sufficient for most home supplemental oxygen needs (1–5 litres per minute) as prescribed by a doctor.
- 10L machine: for cases requiring higher flow rates, or for therapies that need a larger oxygen supply.
- The flow rate (litres per minute) must follow your doctor's prescription exactly — do not adjust it yourself.
What the cost of oxygen & respiratory equipment rental depends on
The cost depends on the equipment (oxygen cylinder, 5L/10L concentrator, suction machine, hospital bed, ventilator), whether you rent by the day or in a package, and whether you need delivery and set-up at home. Call us for a quote matched to the equipment and rental period you need — confirmed before the device is delivered.
Reference prices at GreenCare (Y Tế Xanh), including delivery and installation within the city and a safety usage briefing; transport surcharges based on distance are communicated upfront:
Safety tips for home oxygen therapy
- Treat oxygen as a medication: use only at the flow rate and duration prescribed by your doctor.
- Absolutely no smoking, and keep the equipment away from gas stoves, candles, and any spark source — oxygen intensifies combustion.
- Place the machine in a well-ventilated area, at least 15–30 cm from walls to allow adequate heat dissipation.
- Clean the humidifier bottle and change the distilled water regularly; monitor SpO₂ if you have a pulse oximeter.
- If the patient's breathing worsens, lips or fingertips turn blue, or they become drowsy — call emergency services immediately; do not simply increase the oxygen flow.
Home oxygen rental with GreenCare
Oxygen therapy and respiratory care are our core services. GreenCare delivers and installs oxygen concentrators and cylinders directly to your home, with transport support and cylinder-swap service when needed. If your patient also needs a nurse to monitor them alongside oxygen therapy, we can combine this with a home care package.
Need personalised advice for your loved one? Call our hotline 094 368 81 15 (24/7) — calling to ask a question or to book costs nothing. GreenCare has doctors who come to examine, nurses who carry out doctor's orders (injections, infusions, dressing changes), remote consultation by video call, and a review of the medicines you are taking; an in-depth remote consultation, or any one after the first, is a paid service. For children we take examination and acute care only — not long-term care at home, and not newborns or expectant mothers. We confirm we have staff in your area and provide transparent pricing before we begin.
Where this service is available
This service is available in 11 locations where Y Tế Xanh has its own in-house doctors and nurses on the ground, who come to your home or hotel: Da Nang, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hue, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Hai Phong, Phong Nha – Quang Tri, Quy Nhon, Kon Tum.
