How Often Should You Replace Your CPAP Supplies? A Complete Timeline

Your CPAP machine may last for years, but the CPAP supplies you use every night won’t. Cushions, masks, headgear, tubing, and humidifier chambers all wear down with time—causing leaks, discomfort, or even hygiene risks if not replaced on schedule.

That’s why following a CPAP replacement schedule is so important: it keeps your therapy safe, comfortable, and effective. For patients in Ottawa and the Valley—including Kanata, Barrhaven, Arnprior, and Stittsville—knowing when to replace your CPAP mask and accessories can also save you money by maximizing your insurance or ADP coverage.

👉 Here’s what to know:

  • ADP (Ontario Ministry of Health funding) helps cover the cost of your CPAP machine but does not cover accessories like masks, cushions, tubing, or filters.
  • Private insurance (e.g., Manulife, Sun Life, Canada Life, Green Shield) typically does cover ongoing CPAP supplies on a set replacement schedule.

Not sure what your plan covers? Contact SleepEZ Home Health and we’ll walk you through your benefits, helping you replace what you need without unnecessary out-of-pocket costs—protecting both your health and your wallet.

At SleepEZ, we provide not only CPAP therapy and supplies but also Home Sleep Testing, ensuring every patient is properly diagnosed and set up for long-term success.

Why Replacement Matters

Comfort: Worn cushions lose flexibility, causing leaks, dry mouth, and restless nights. As masks lose their seal, you often need to overtighten them—leading to red lines on the face and discomfort. Headgear also stretches over time, creating uneven pressure and further reducing comfort.

Hygiene: Even with cleaning, bacteria and oils build up on silicone and especially on foam cushions. Foam should never be washed, only wiped daily—but oils still accumulate, making the cushion stiffer, harder to seal, and more prone to causing skin or sinus infections.

Therapy success: A poor seal reduces therapeutic pressure, making CPAP less effective. And here’s the bigger picture—ever wonder why people stop using CPAP? Because it feels uncomfortable, leaky, or irritating. That’s why replacement matters: to keep your therapy something you actually look forward to wearing, not dreading. After all, you’ll spend about 30% of your life asleep—make it comfortable.

Insurance coverage: Replacement timelines often align with insurance schedules, so you may be eligible for new supplies at little to no cost. Depending on your plan, direct billing may be available. And if you don’t have insurance? No problem. At SleepEZ Home Health, we keep CPAP therapy affordable and accessible, so every patient has the chance at successful sleep.

CPAP Mask Cushions & Pillows

Fisher & Paykel Solo Mask – Cushions should be replaced every 3 months to maintain a proper seal.

F&P Vitera Full Face Mask – Great for movement during sleep, but silicone wears down quickly; replace every 3 months.

F&P EVORA Full Face Mask – Minimal design, but the seal depends on cushion flexibility; replace every 3 months.

F&P NOVA Micro Nasal Pillow Mask – Soft pillows degrade faster; replace every 1–3 months.

Lowenstein CARA (Nasal & Full Face Masks) – The toughest mask on the market, engineered for longevity. Cushions only need replacement every 6 months, making it the longest-lasting of all. It’s so durable that people joke it could survive a truck driving over it—a true testament to German design and build quality.

LENA Mask – Comfortable fit, but silicone cushions wear with time; replace every 3 months.

ResMed AirTouch Series (N30i, N20, F20)Memory foam cushions cannot be washed and must be replaced every 30 days.

CPAP Mask Frames & Headgear

Standard and heated tubing: Replace every 6–12 months.

Avoid the buildup of biofilm and bacteria that grows inside tubing over time (Harvard research shows biofilm can develop in just weeks).

Signs it’s time: discolouration, stiffness, foul odour, or water residue that doesn’t dry fully.

CPAP Tubing & Heated Hoses

Headgear stretches out with nightly use, reducing seal and comfort.

  • Replace every 6 months, or sooner if straps are loose, frayed, or leave deep marks.
  • Applies to all Fisher & Paykel, Lowenstein, LENA, and ResMed AirTouch masks.

CPAP Humidifier Chambers

Replace every 12 months, or sooner if cloudy, cracked, or showing calcification.

Even with distilled water, micro-cracks can harbor bacteria.

By brand:

Lowenstein Prisma: Built for longevity and does not require regular replacement.

ResVent Humidifier: Should be replaced annually, per manufacturer guidance.

ResMed Humidifier Chambers: Recommended replacement every 3–6 months. These are intentionally designed as shorter-life parts, not for extended durability.

CPAP Filters

Disposable filters: Replace every 1–3 months, more often if you have pets or dust.

ResVent: recommends every 3 months.

ResMed: recommends monthly.

Reusable filters (Lowenstein): Rinse weekly, replace every 6 months.

Pollen filters (Lowenstein): Replace monthly for optimal performance.

CPAP Replacement Schedule — SleepEZ Home Health (Ottawa, Kanata, Barrhaven, Arnprior, Stittsville)
Supply Replacement Interval Notes
Mask Cushions (Silicone) Every 3 months F&P Solo, Vitera, EVORA, NOVA Micro; LENA.
Mask Cushions — Lowenstein CARA Longest‑lasting Every 6 months Extremely durable German build; renowned longevity.
Mask Cushions (Memory Foam) Every 30 days ResMed AirTouch N30i, N20, F20; cannot be washed.
Headgear & Straps Every 6 months Prevents leaks from stretched straps; reduces red lines/uneven pressure.
Tubing (Standard & Heated) Every 6–12 months Replace to avoid biofilm buildup; swap if stiff, discoloured, odorous, or holding water.
Humidifier Chamber 12 months (typical) Lowenstein Prisma: no routine replacement; ResVent: annually; ResMed: every 3–6 months.
Disposable Filters Every 1–3 months ResVent: 3 months; ResMed: monthly; replace sooner with pets/dust.
Reusable Filters (Lowenstein) Every 6 months Rinse weekly; air‑dry fully.
Pollen Filters (Lowenstein) Every month For optimal airflow and hygiene.

Complete CPAP Bundles

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