Machine and humidifier
CPAP Air Too Hot or Too Cold: How to Adjust the Temperature
The temperature of your CPAP air depends on the room, the humidifier, and whether you use a heated tube. With a heated tube you can usually change the tube temperature yourself in the comfort menu. Air that is much warmer than usual can also mean a dirty filter or a machine sitting in the sun or next to a heater.
Signs
- Air feels too warm or stuffy
- Air feels cold on your face
- Sweating under the mask
- Cold air causing a runny nose or sinus discomfort
Common causes
- Room temperature
- Without a heated tube, air reaches your mask close to room temperature.
- Tube temperature setting
- On the AirSense 11, Climate Control Auto sets the tube to 27 C, and you can adjust it from 16 to 30 C or turn it off.
- Dirty filter or poor ventilation
- Philips lists dirty filters, direct sunlight and nearby heaters as reasons the airflow is much warmer than usual.
- Personal preference
- ResMed says many people, especially new users, full face mask users and women having hot flashes, find cooler air easier to breathe, while warmer air carries more humidity and can reduce nasal irritation.
Fixes to try, easiest first
Check filters and placement
Replace a dirty filter, and move the machine out of direct sun and away from heaters and bedding that block air around it.
Lower the tube temperature if air is too warm
In the comfort menu, lower the tube temperature a degree or two at a time. If you lower it a lot, watch for rainout.
Raise the tube temperature if air is too cold
If you have a heated tube, raise the tube temperature a degree or two. ResMed suggests trying 1 to 2 F changes.
Insulate a standard hose
Without a heated tube, a tubing cover or running the hose under your blanket keeps air warmer.
Add heated tubing
A heated tube made for your machine lets you set the air temperature at the mask.
Adjust humidity alongside temperature
If you feel dry even after raising humidity, ResMed suggests increasing tube temperature slightly. If you still feel dry at the highest settings, ask your provider and doctor about mask leak or medicines.
Temperature is a comfort setting you can manage yourself. Call your provider if the machine feels hot to the touch, smells like burning or behaves unusually, and stop using it as the FDA advises for overheating DreamStation 2 machines. Talk to your doctor about ongoing dryness, congestion or sinus pain.
Supplies that can help
Tubing with a built-in heating wire that keeps humidified air warm all the way to the mask, which is the main fix for rainout (water droplets …
A fabric sleeve that slips over CPAP tubing to insulate it, reduce condensation and make the hose feel softer against your skin.
The air inlet filter keeps dust and lint out of the machine and your airway; it is a cheap part that needs regular replacement.
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Mask types this applies to
Frequently asked questions
What tube temperature should I set on my CPAP?
There is no single right number. On the AirSense 11, Auto uses 27 C and you can choose 16 to 30 C. Pick the coolest setting that still keeps you comfortable without rainout.
Why is my CPAP air suddenly hot?
Philips points to dirty filters, sunlight or a nearby heater. Check those first, and stop using the machine if it smells like burning or shows other signs of overheating.
Is cold CPAP air bad for me?
It is not dangerous, but ResMed notes cold, dry air can cause dry mouth and make your nose work harder, leading to sinus irritation. Humidification and a heated tube help.
Sources
Last reviewed October 11, 2026. How we research · Report an error