Do you want to know how to use an ozone generator in your home? Then this guide will be of help to you. One of the great things about the age in which we live is that we have a greater degree of control over our homes than ever before. Home decorating and home improvement have always been huge motivating forces for those looking to show off their creative side or put more value into their home. That being said, however, there have always been things which are typically beyond our grasp, with air quality being one of them. From authentic Tudor estates to the Palace of Versailles, many of Europe’s most celebrated haunts didn’t always “smell like roses” – and if they did, it was often due to rosewater being used to combat the stench from poor sanitation and fetid air quality. Victorian England and Jazz Age Manhattan likewise knew splendor and squalor in equal measures. For as lovely as the homes could be, controlling air quality in massive modern metropolises like London or New York was, for the most part, simply beyond the capabilities of the time.
It’s a different story here in the twenty-first century. With items such as ozone generators available, we can now do what royals, aristocrats, and monied movers and shakers in eras past never could, and that is purify our air quality. The best ozone generators on the market can purify your air to such an extent as to remove even the most miniscule specks of dust from the air, making the air you and your guests breathe that much fresher.
Even so, for as huge a step forward as modern ozone generators are, they can take some getting used to, especially when it comes to figuring out how to use them. To that end, this quick guide can help get you started in terms of figuring out how to select the best ozone generator for your needs, set it up safely, and use it in such a way as to enjoy the freshest and best air quality possible.
A Word on Air Purifiers
It is worth noting that while the two are often used interchangeably, “ozone generator” and “air purifier” are not the same thing – rather, all ozone generators are air purifiers, but not all air purifiers are ozone generators. There are other types of air purifiers on the market – it’s just that ozone-based ones are among the most popular, as we’ll soon see. That being said, it is worth taking a step back and looking at how air purifiers work in general.
No matter the type of air purifier, its main goal is to filter out pollutants. Some air purifiers use a mixture of materials which “catch” the dirt, pollen, and other unwanted items, leaving them trapped in this filter material, which is then cleaned or else replaced. Ozone-based air purifiers take that idea to a whole new level. They make use of ozone – which, in this case, describes a special type of oxygen molecule – to attract pollutants molecularly and filter them out that way.
The Benefits
There are many benefits to using an ozone generator over other options, not the least of which include the following:
- Superior power
- A more advanced means of purifying air
- The ability to get rid of bacteria and bugs as well as dust
- The ability to be programmed and preset according to your needs
A Quick Health Note
It is worth noting that, due to the power and nature of ozone generators, you will want to exercise some basic caution with them in terms of their placement and usage. For example, you should make sure that they are not utilized in small spaces in which the power of the ozone generators can fill the air with too much ozone, which can be hazardous to one’s health.
For tiny spaces such as closets, using an ozone generator is typically not ideal. Ozone, as stated, works by bonding with molecules, and if it bonds with your own in too high of a concentration, it can cause problems. Lung inflammation, headaches, nausea, and general feelings of discomfort can accompany improper usage of an ozone generator in a tiny, unventilated space. If you find yourself suffering from any of these conditions when you begin using your ozone generator, stop using it immediately, contact a doctor, and do not use it in that particular space again until otherwise cleared to do so.
That being said, this isn’t too great a risk normally, and as long as you use your ozone generator in medium to large space such as a master bedroom, living room, or entire floor of an office building – you should be completely fine. You’ll also want to make sure that you use your ozone generator in a well-ventilated part of your home or business.
How To Use Ozone Generator In Home
So, now that we know the basics about what an ozone generator is and where not to use one, let’s get started setting one up.
The first thing you’ll want to decide, after determining the room in which this ozone generator is to be housed, is the size and power of generator you need. This will naturally be tied in with the size of the room – the larger the space, the more powerful of a generator you’re going to want in order to keep the whole space well-treated. On the flip side, you’ll also want to consider the noise factor as well. If, for example, you are setting up an ozone generator in your bedroom or living room, you hardly want the loud whir of fans to keep you up in the middle of the night or disrupt conversation with guests. While ozone generators are constantly being reworked and newer models are distinctly less noisy than older ones, the size to noise ratio is still something to consider.
Now we’re ready to turn the ozone generator on – while following proper safety protocol. As established above, you will want to make sure that you aren’t met with a prolonged blast of ozone. That’s why many ozone generators today feature a timer that allows you to set it and leave before it goes off. If you are using a generator without that option, you may want to make sure your nose and mouth are covered as the ozone begins to come out.
In any case, you’ll typically want to preset a few things, such as the duration of the ozone treatment, the strength, and the noise vs. the power of the fan, if that’s an adjustable option. After all that has been set, it’s time to let the ozone generator do its work.
You always want to be sure that you follow the instructions when it comes to powering on your ozone generator. Sometimes it will be as simple as pressing a button, while other machines may require you to enter the duration of the ozone treatment before it begins.
Other Factors to Keep In Mind
We’ve already given a broad overview of how ozone generators work, what to do and not to do, what the benefits of these systems are, and the proper manner in which to start them up. While that covers a lot of ground so far as the basics are concerned, there are still other factors you’ll want to keep in mind.
For starters, we cannot stress enough the importance of removing living things from the area before you begin. Ozone is extremely effective as an air purifying agent, and when used properly, it can make your home much fresher and safer. That being said, ozone itself is not a material that you want to get up close and personal with, nor is it something you want your kids, pets, plants, or other living things exposed to for a prolonged period of time. This mostly applies to staying right by the unit, however. If you are using ozone to purify the air in a long hallway at work, for example, you don’t have to evacuate the hallway – just don’t make anyone sit and work right next to the generator.
In addition, you’ll want to make sure that the powerful ozone blast doesn’t harm any of your valuables. In particular, you’ll want to take extra care to protect anything that’s metal. While ozone should not corrode bathroom metals or anything of that nature, precious metal items such as gold watches, earrings, jewelry, and similar items should be protected from the ozone blast or taken out of the room entirely to prevent degradation.
You’ll also want to be sure to set a timer. Most modern ozone generators have one built in, but if your model does not, you’ll want to set a timer on your phone, laptop, or other device so you know when the generator should stop. You’ll also want to wait a few hours before entering the area immediately adjacent to your ozone generator.
As with any other tool, the key with ozone generators is to know how to use them properly. Following the methods above, you can do just that – and the potential rewards of doing so are substantial. No longer will you have to deal with the kind of foul, fetid air quality that polluted even the most splendid of palaces in centuries past.
On the contrary – used properly, ozone generators can be a true breath of fresh air.