Electricity Costs

Preparing you for rising costs

Air Liquide are very conscious of the rising costs to our national electricity use.

We have provided information which may be helpful for you in preparation of rising costs and the risk of power loss during scheduled times by the Electricity Supply Board

Useful hints and tips

1. Ensure you are registered as a Vulnerable Customer with your electricity supplier. Go online or call them to register immediately.

Being registered as a vulnerable customer means you will get a priority service for power restoration in the event of power outages. Your electricity company will also aim to give prior notification of any planned outages. As a registered vulnerable customer you have the protection of knowing that you cannot have your electricity supply cut off even if you do not have the financial means to pay your bills. If you are struggling with your bills look at the useful websites section below for help.

2. It is not recommended for any person using medical equipment to have a PAYG meter (Pay As You Go). Please consult with your electricity supplier if you are in this situation for best advice.

3. Look at comparison websites to ensure you are on the best electricity rate. (e.g. Bonkers.ie)

4. If you have a smart meter in your home (installed by ESB Networks) you will be able to get smart rates to enable cost savings.

5. Follow general energy saving advice - see useful websites section below.

6. Ensure that you use your backup cylinder only for emergency situations such as equipment breakdown or power outages. It is important to notify us on 1800 24 02 04 if you have had to use this cylinder so it can be refilled.

7. Know how long your back up cylinder will last you at your prescribed flow rate. The regulator is often different on these so it is important that you know how to use it.

8. Ensure you know where your back up cylinder is located should you need to use it in an emergency. Always make sure your cylinder is set up with firebreak, spare tubing and cannula/mask so it is ready for use.

9. Keep a torch close to your bedside. Check that it works regularly and keep spare batteries. DO NOT use candles, matches or naked flames in the vicinity of any oxygen equipment/cylinders.

10. Keep a phone or contact numbers close should you need to call for attention, and ensure that your phone is kept to a high minimum charge in case of emergency use

11. If you use a chargeable portable oxygen concentrator (POC) device with batteries, always ensure your batteries are fully charged and ready for use.

12. Make your way to an alternative electricity supply/your Hospital if you are running short of supply. Always keep enough oxygen to get you to help.

**B10 Cylinder duration times (approximately)**
0.5LPM	70 hours 44 Minutes
1 LPM	35 hours 22 Minutes
1.5lpm	23 hours 34 minutes
2 LPM	17 hours 41 Minutes
3 LPM	11 hours 47 Minutes
4 LPM	8 hours 50 Minutes
6 LPM	5 hours 53 Minutes
8 LPM	4 hours 25 Minutes
12 LPM	2 hours 56 minutes
15 LPM	2 hours 21 Minutes