Ozone generators are convenient for pros as much as for daily individuals, thanks to the fact that they can remove scents that other products cannot. It is possible to take a room from that smoke smell to that musty cellar smell back to a neutral, clean space.
An ozone machine, though, is not as simple as cleaning out the air. It is a complex machine that must be handled with care and with expert knowledge. It may not work at all or even become dangerous if it is used improperly. To make sure that you are doing everything to benefit from your generator while still putting all precautions in place, this guide is going to show you how to avoid the top five mistakes.
How Does an Ozone Generator Actually Work?
Before discussing the errors, it's good to be familiar with how science works in general. The molecule ozone (O₃) consists of three oxygen atoms. It's extremely unstable, so the third atom of oxygen can easily detach from the molecule and attach to other molecules. Ultraviolet light or high-voltage electricity (corona discharge) is utilized by the ozone generator to displace regular oxygen molecules (O₂). These molecules recombine to become O₃.
When this ozone is released into an area, the additional oxygen atom attaches easily to floating pollution such as bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that give off odors. It does this through oxidation, which kills the pollutants, eliminating the odor at the point of origin. Once it has completed its task, ozone is automatically converted to ordinary safe oxygen (O₂) that can be inhaled. It is the powerful oxidation that makes ozone functional, yet it is that same powerful oxidation that necessitates the safety regulations.
Mistake #1: Remaining in the Room During Treatment
That is the most serious mistake and biggest violation of ozone machine safety. Individuals will under-estimate the power of ozone and think it's okay to be in the same room or even another room all the way at the end of the hall when the machine is running. That is downright unsafe.
The Danger
Ozone is itself a severe lung irritant. The same qualities that allow it to kill odor molecules can similarly damage living tissue. Inhaling ozone, even at comparatively minor levels, can induce various respiratory issues, such as coughing, chest pains, breathlessness, and irritation of the throat. Exposure for longer times or increased concentrations can provoke even more damage to the lungs. Due to that fact, professional treatments are always performed in entirely empty rooms.
The Correct Procedure
The golden rule is that the treatment area cannot contain even a single living creature. That is all human beings, pets (yes, even fish tanks), and plants. One last check through the area should be done before firing up your ozone generator to make sure that absolutely nobody is in the space. Post clear warning signs on all doors so that nobody enters the area by mistake during the treatment.
Mistake #2: Not Sealing the Treatment Area Properly
Another common error is running the generator in a room without properly isolating it from the rest of the building. People may leave an interior door open or forget to turn off their central HVAC (heating and air conditioning) system, thinking it will help circulate the ozone.
The Danger
Ozone is a gas that will travel wherever the air flows. If the room is not sealed, ozone will leak out into hallways and other rooms, potentially exposing occupants in other parts of the home or building to harmful levels of the gas. Furthermore, if your HVAC system is running, it will pull the ozone into the ductwork and distribute it throughout the entire property, which is both dangerous and ineffective. It also makes the treatment in the target room less potent, as the ozone concentration cannot build up to the required level.
The Correct Procedure
To learn how to use an ozone generator effectively, you must first isolate the treatment area.
- Close all windows and doors to the room.
- Place a towel along the bottom of the door to block the gap.
- If there are vents for a central air system in the room, close them and seal them with plastic and tape if possible.
- Most importantly, turn the HVAC system's fan setting from "Auto" to "Off" at the thermostat to prevent any air circulation through the vents.
Mistake #3: Re-entering the Space Too Soon After Treatment
Many people want to rush back inside as soon as the ozone machine's timer goes off to let fresh air in. But the air inside isn't safe right away. The machine makes ozone, which takes time to break down naturally and turn back into oxygen (O₂).
The Danger
Anyone who walks into the room right after the treatment cycle is over will still be breathing in a lot of ozone. There will be a strong, "electrical" smell in the air, which is ozone. It is just as dangerous for your lungs to breathe this air as it is to be in the room when the machine is going.
The Correct Procedure
Being patient is a very important part of ozone machine safety. People shouldn't come into the room for at least two to four hours after the generator has turned off. In this way, most of the ozone can easily escape. Once you've waited for a while, you can go into the room for a short time to open the windows and turn on the fans to really air out the space. You should wait at least an hour more for the space to dry out before letting people and pets back in.
Mistake #4: Using It as a General "Air Purifier"
A lot of people think that an ozone generator is just a strong type of air cleaner that can be left on all the time to keep the air clean. People use it in occupied places for short amounts of time or even leave it on a low setting all the time.
The Danger
This could be the most dangerous long-term abuse. Ozone devices aren't meant to be used when people are around. Low amounts of ozone that stay in the air for a long time can make health problems like asthma worse and make it harder for the body to fight off lung infections. This is what the EPA says: for ozone to kill germs, it needs to be much higher than the amount that is safe for people's health.
The Correct Procedure
It is very important to know that an ozone generator is not an air cleaner but a "shock treatment" tool. Its job is to give an empty room a deep, thorough treatment to get rid of strong smells from things like smoke, mold, or long-lasting pet smells. It should only be used for a certain amount of time in a room that is empty. After that, there should be a time for waiting and air flow.
Mistake #5: Not Removing the Odor Source First
For many people, an ozone machine is like a magic wand that can get rid of any smell with no work on their part. For example, they might run a generator in a room where a pet had an accident or in the basement where there is a lot of mildew without cleaning the carpet first.
The Ineffectiveness
Ozone is incredibly effective at destroying odor molecules, but it cannot remove the source of the odor. If the source is still present (e.g., moisture causing mildew, a soiled carpet pad, or trash that was left out), the smell will simply return once the ozone treatment is complete and the gas has dissipated. This results in a wasted effort and the false belief that the machine "didn't work."
The Correct Procedure
Think of the ozone treatment as the final step in a deep cleaning process. Before you use the ozone generator, you must do the physical work first.
- Clean up and remove the source of the odor.
- Shampoo carpets and upholstery to remove smoke residue or pet stains.
- Fix any water leaks and scrub away any visible mold or mildew with an appropriate cleaner.
- Remove any items that are permanently saturated with the odor.
Only after the source has been removed should you use the ozone generator to eliminate the lingering, embedded odor molecules from the air and surfaces.
Final Thoughts: Using Your Ozone Generator Safely and Effectively
When used properly, an ozone generator is a very useful tool, but it's not like most home appliances. Because it is chemically strong and could be dangerous, this piece of equipment needs to be treated with care. To be safe, you should only use it in a sealed, empty area, and you should always wait the suggested amount of time for the ozone to turn back into oxygen before going back inside. You can safely and effectively use its power to make your home smell fresh and clean if you know what it's for and don't make these five common mistakes.