Ozone generators can effectively deal with stubborn unpleasant smells that are hard to get rid of. If you’re considering investing in one, it’s important to know which size ozone generator you’ll need based on the area you are trying to clean.
The size of an ozone generator depends on the room size, contaminant type and concentrations, and treatment mode. A large room with a high contaminant load will need a larger ozone generator than a small room with fewer contaminants. Generally, 500 mg/hr of ozone is required for every 100 sq. ft.
This guide walks you through how to calculate the size of generator you will need, plus we shed some light on their key features that you should be aware of before investing in one.
How Ozone Generators Work
Ozone generators use oxidation to remove odors from the surrounding air.
Ozone is an unstable compound and readily decomposes, producing an oxygen molecule and nascent oxygen. The nascent form of oxygen is highly reactive, and able to react with the contaminants in our area, it’s this that makes ozone a strong purification method.
Ozone generators collect oxygen from all around it, including from dry air, or ambient air, and then produces ozone gas. This gas then reacts with the odor molecules around and oxidizes them, changing their chemical composition.
Ultimately, removing the foul smells from your room.
Why Size Matters (For Ozone Generators)
Output (size) of ozone generators is measured in mg/hr (milligram per hour).
When dealing with ozone generators, you need just enough output of gas as per the size of the room.
If the device size smaller than required, it won’t produce enough ozone for the removal of germs and other odor agents.
If the output is greater than what the space needs, it can cause multiple health and environmental problems. Ozone is a poisonous gas and can be harmful, especially for pets and children.
Choosing an appropriately sized ozone generator is important for its efficiency and your safety.
What Determines the Size of an Ozone Generator?
For ozone generators, the greater the output, the bigger the area they clean in less time (within reason). Keeping this in mind, the following are the factors that determine the size of your ozone generator:
1. Size of the Room
We know that the size of generators is an indication of the concentration of ozone they produce.
An undersized ozone generator won’t produce enough gas to remove the smell from the room. Whereas, an oversized ozone generator is severely harmful as it will produce extra concentration of ozone which can be lethal.
As a rule of thumb, 500 mg/hr of ozone is required for every 100 sq. ft.
Buying a device that is appropriate for the area dimensions is crucial to ensure effective treatment.
For example, running a UV ozone generator sized 1000 mg/hr for 6-12 hours in a 100 sq. ft room is appropriate to kill contaminants.
2. Type and Level of Contamination
The next thing we consider is the type and level of contamination. If the odor is coming from gas, smoke, fumes, or some indoor emissions, you can remove it in comparatively less time with a small ozone concentration.
Whereas, if the source of the smell is mildew, molds, or bacteria, you need higher levels of ozone to eliminate it.
The level of contamination also matters as the duration of treatment depends on it.
3. Temperature
Temperature plays a vital role in ozone depletion.
At high temperatures, ozone decomposes rapidly, and a larger generator may be required.
While in cold climates, ozone generators won’t be effective. Temperatures of at least 60°F are required for ozone to work against the smell.
4. Humidity
Relative humidity needs to be below 60% to run an ozone generator – otherwise a dehumidifier is recommended to use prior to ozone generation. In dry areas, you can use corona discharge generators i.e ozone machines that use electrical discharge to split oxygen.
In case of the UV generators (ozone devices that use germicidal UV light bulbs for sanitization) high humidity doesn’t affect the ozone concentration. So before deciding on a model, check to see which one suits the climate of the area you live in.
5. Usage and Shock Treatment
The last but most crucial point you need to keep in mind is the purpose or mode of treatment. You need to analyze the size depending on what you intend to use the generator for, i.e., air purification.
Based on the contamination, you also need to see if shock treatment is applicable. It is a process in which high doses of ozone are used for a short span of time to kill odor. This method is popular and highly effective, but you need large concentrations of ozone, and consequently a large ozone generator for it.
1000 mg/h per 100 square feet is usually needed for ‘shock’ levels of ozone.
Note: Never operate an ozone generator with people or animals present. Ozone is a toxic gas and should not be inhaled at these concentrations.
How to Size an Ozone Generator
Sizing of ozone generators refers to calculating the output you need for the area. For general use in rooms, cars, etc., here is a basic chart of ozone equipment size per 100 sq. ft:
Can Ozone be Hazardous to the Health of Pets and People in High Concentrations?
Ozone is a toxic substance and poses a serious hazard to the health of people around. It can lead to a multitude of problems, including chest pain, coughing, labored breathing, irritation in the throat, and congestion.
According to the EPA, people who have a history of respiratory disorders like emphysema, asthma, and bronchitis are more susceptible to ozone side effects. These symptoms can worsen, and lung inflammation due to repeated exposure can also cause several secondary complications.
In animals, the defense system against airborne infections is weak, so your pets are at a high risk of ozone toxicity.
To prevent these health problems, you need to be careful when sizing an ozone generator. Concentrations of the gas, higher than required, can cause irreversible damage to the respiratory tract.
There are types of ozone generators designed for specific use. For example, industrial and commercial ozone generators cater to large spaces and produce high levels of ozone. These cannot be used in residential places or cars as they will have serious adverse effects.
As a precautionary measure, it is also advised to vacate the area during treatment, especially for vulnerable individuals and pets.
What is Ozone Shock, and at what concentration does it occur?
Ozone shock is the process of dispersing high concentrations of ozone to an area for a limited time to sterilize the space. For a 100 sq. ft, you need 6-10 ppm of ozone (1000 mg/hr) to produce shock treatment.
Ozone shock is an effective and economical sterilization method that involves exposure to high concentrations of ozone to eliminate contaminants rapidly. This treatment costs less than many other alternatives and is more efficient than normal cleaning through ozone systems.
After setting a timer, the generator emits high levels of ozone into the area. This goes on for a few hours in comparison to normal air purification that requires days.
You need a generator that gives an output of 1000 sq. ft. to set in ozone shock in a 100 sq. ft area.
According to the Department of Labor, the permissible exposure limit is just 0.1 ppm (parts per million) in an 8 hour period, so the area is evacuated beforehand to ensure safety.
How Long You Should Run Your Ozone Generator
Generally, 3-10 hours of operation of an ozone generator is required to remove all contaminants in a 100-220 sq. ft room. Larger areas and buildings that are over 12,000sq.ft on average, need an exposure of approximately 25 hours to decontaminate.
The above measurements are based on average room size, contaminant level, ozone dosage, etc. To know the exact time you should operate your ozone machine, you need to incorporate the following factors:
- Room Size: The bigger the area, the more time needed to clear out the pollutants.
- Equipment Size: Operating time depends on the size of your ozone generator—the more output it gives, the less time you need to kill the smell.
- Contaminant Type and Level: Ozone levels and operating period of the machine are also determined by the contaminant. Bacteria and mold need higher concentration and more exposure time to ozone in comparison to gasses, smoke, etc.
Conclusion
We hope this article makes sizing ozone generators easy for you. Remember that ozone is a toxic gas, and you need exact measurement of the generator to guarantee both efficient sterilization and adequate safety.
UV ozone generators are better than corona ozone systems as the latter has a varied output depending on fluctuating humidity levels.
