Today, we live in an age of increasing awareness and sensitivity to issues related to the hygiene and protection of environments, whether it's our own home, a business, or a work environment where several people share the same space.
If cleaning with often dangerous chemicals and unpleasant odors isn't enough to make our environment healthy and safe, we can turn to technology and find an effective and safe system for effortless sanitation.
Thanks to ozone generators, we can sanitize both home and work environments without risking our health; you just have to choose the most suitable and specific one to meet your needs.
What is an ozone generator and what is it used for?
Ozone is a naturally occurring molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. It is a low-density gas found in the stratosphere and naturally protects the planet from ultraviolet rays. Ozone, which is used in generators, is a strong oxidizing agent.
The ozone generator is a machine that harnesses the powerful power of ozone to sanitize air and water.
It disinfects the environment, freeing it from viruses, bacteria, mold, as well as mites, fleas, ticks, lice, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. It also eliminates unpleasant odors, such as smoke, by harnessing the oxidizing power of ozone.
Ozone is able to act on unpleasant odors because its molecules bind to the substances that emit those odors, oxidizing and then eliminating them.
Furthermore, ozone can oxidize various organic compounds, transforming them into carbon dioxide, water, or harmless compounds. It also acts on pesticides, which will break down their chemical formula, transforming them into harmless substances.
Ozone generators are used in a wide variety of sectors, for example, in the tourism and hotel sectors, where they are very useful because they guarantee clean, hygienic, and odorless environments: beds, carpets, armchairs, upholstery, and linens are always hygienically treated and renewed for each guest, ensuring a clean and healthy environment.
Ozone generators are also widely used in nursing homes, gyms, laboratory waiting rooms, beauty and wellness centers, laundries, shops, offices, schools—in short, in all environments where many people pass through.
They are ideal for cleaning companies, which can provide an additional service to clients by ensuring the hygiene of their premises.
Another use could be to disinfect vehicles such as taxis, ambulances, food trucks, buses, and even boats.
How does an ozone generator work?
Ozone, due to its chemical characteristics, is a gas that cannot be transported or stored, so it must be produced at the time within the environment to be treated.
The machines are made from metals that are especially resistant to oxidation, such as titanium, stainless steel, glass, aluminum, and polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinylidene fluoride polymers. There are two mechanisms by which this is generated: the corona effect and ultraviolet radiation.
The first is the most common method and allows for greater ozone production. The generator's filters and dryers clean the oxygen from which ozone is generated, which is then discharged into the room for disinfection.
The ultraviolet radiation system generates a smaller amount of ozone. The process is similar to that used to create ozone in the atmosphere, and its production requires the use of mercury. In both cases, viruses and bacteria are destroyed.
How to choose the best ozone generator?
When choosing an ozone generator, we must consider the environment in which it will be used: whether it's for home or professional use. In this hogartop comparison, you can find information that will help you choose the best one for your needs.
Types and uses.
We can divide ozone generators into three types:
- Domestic ozone generator.
- Professional ozone generator.
- Industrial ozone generator.
Each typology has different characteristics that we are going to talk about.
Industrial ozone generator.
The industrial ozone generator is designed for very large spaces, which may also contain food or medicine; think of the hotel, restaurant, or healthcare sector. They are also used for industrial water treatment or to purify swimming pool water.
Professional ozone generator.
Professional ozone generators can be used in commercial establishments such as shops and offices, where a limited number of people pass through. They are also recommended for sterilizing and sanitizing the interior of cars and vehicles in general.
Domestic ozone generator.
The domestic ozone generator is more compact and smaller in size and is used to ozonize both water and air, and is generally multifunctional. It is used to sanitize fruits, vegetables, food in general, or household items for safer use.
Its power is lower compared to industrial and professional generators.
Capacity and power.
As we've already seen, there are many uses for ozone generators. It's precisely their use that will determine our choice.
Large environments will require more energy and capacity to supply ozone than small environments or even domestic ones.
Therefore, the choice will be linked to the use made of the generator.
Timer.
It is a component that we generally find in all ozone generators, not excluding domestic ones.
For proper and safe use, it is advisable to purchase a product equipped with a timer that allows you to activate or deactivate the device and control the usage time.
Extra features and functionality.
For those with special needs or who prefer more immediate and simpler use of generators, there are models on the market designed for easy transport, with a multifunction digital timer instead of an analog one.
Many devices have the feature of ozonizing both air and water using the same machine.
Some models offer the option of continuous use thanks to the always-on function, and some models are equipped with a remote control.
Size and maintenance.
Ozone generators tend to be quite small in size for both domestic and professional use. Industrial generators adapt their size to the area they need to cover.
Since they are not equipped with filters, the generators do not require any particular maintenance.
