How to Choose the best Ozone Generator to solve your unique problem
What is Ozone?
Ozone is chemically described as o3. It is oxygen with an extra oxygen molecule attached. It is an atmospheric gas that occurs in different parts of the atmosphere. The ozone layer is found in the stratosphere. Ozone is also a naturally reoccurring gas in the air we breathe although its in much much lower concentrations found in the ozone layer. It is safe and healthy at levels below .05 ppm (parts per million) for humans to breathe in. Nature uses it to destroy odors and gases in the air. After a rainstorm, the fresh smell is the result of o3, created during the storm, oxidizing pollutants. In air purification, it is used to effectively oxidize odors and gases in the air.
Can You Detect the Ozone Myths?
view quiz statisticsWhat is an Ozone Generator?
An ozone generator is a machine that produces ozone and releases it into the air. They only produce o3 and do not use any other air purification technologies. They are specialty machines design to target odors and gases. At high levels, o3 is also effective against bacteria. Ozone generators range in power. They measure performance in mg/hr (milligrams per hour) of ozone output. If they are made in Europe, they are measured in ml/hr (milliliters per hour). These generators are designed to provide concentrated short term interventions. They are not intended to be run 24 hours a day like an air purifier. They usually provide a power range that makes them effective in residential and commercial applications.
UV Ozone Generator - Ideal for Residential Applications
What would I do with an Ozone Generator?
Ozone Generators are designed to target specific problems. They would be a great option if you have a mold problem in your home. Turning one of these powerful systems on in an unoccupied area would allow you to kill the mold. It could also be a great option if you are dealing with a toxic odor problem such as those caused by smoking, painting, pets, or the use of industrial chemicals. Using concentrations of o3 in an unoccupied area would allow you to get rid of these odors and gases quickly within hours to a day.
Choosing the Best Ozone Generator for your problem.
There are many factors to consider when choosing an ozone generator.
- You need to know how large of an area you are wanting to purify with ozone.
- You need to know how high you want the concentrations of o3 to be in the air and how fast you need the problem to be resolved.
- You need to know how many mg/hr of o3 a generator is capable of putting out. This will tell you if its big enough to address your problem. But that is not always good enough because companies do not measure the output of their machines by a universal standard (sounds dumb and it is). You need to know the square foot rating of the generator (since companies do not use a universal standard, the square foot rating is a revealing factor in how powerful the machine actually is). Some commercial generators do not have square foot ratings and this can make comparisons difficult.
- Any generator that puts out more than 3000 mg/hr of o3 is excessively powerful for residential applications. You will be able to solve almost all your residential needs with a generator that puts out no more than 3000 mg/hr
- There are two types of ozone generation: corona discharge (CD) method and UV light (UV) method. CD systems can produce more o3 at a lower cost and are more friendly for commercial applications. UV systems cost a little more and are more friendly for residential applications. They eliminate the issues CD systems have with nitric oxide byproducts. In commercial applications, the nitric oxide is not much of an issue, but in residential applications, having a UV system prevents you from having to deal with corrosive nitric oxide buildup as a by-product of the oxidation process.
- Ozone generators cannot be compared to air purifiers. They have different functions and a different purpose. They cannot even be compared to air purifiers that use o3. They are a unique technology in their own category.
- Consider both the short term and long term costs, the power of the generator, and warranty backing when making a purchase. Some machines pay have a greater cost to benefit ratio, but are simply too big to even be considered as a good option for the problem you are trying to solve.
- You might need one of these systems if you are dealing with toxic organic odors, gases or bacteria. You do not need one if you are dealing with particle pollution or want to kill bacteria in a residential environment where people are present.