The Benefits of a Swimming Pool Ozone Generator
As your pool water passes through the ozone generator, it sanitizes itself while returning to normal oxygen. Since ozone is highly unstable and cannot be transported in cylinders, it needs to be produced on-site by an ozonator or ozone generator.
These units use electrical discharges or UV light to separate oxygen molecules into ozone molecules (three oxygen atoms). They are an effective sanitizer in combination with chlorine.
Reduces Chlorine Consumption
Ozone is a naturally occurring substance that we can find in the air miles up in the stratosphere, but it can also be made right here on your property. When installed correctly, a pool ozone generator can help you dramatically reduce your chlorine use. While you will still need to add complementary chemicals like chlorine to keep your water safe for swimming, you can cut down on the amount of time and money you spend maintaining your pool.
This is because ozone is far more effective than chlorine at oxidizing contaminants in your water. The most common way to inject ozone into your pool is through a venturi injection system. The device uses a pump and pressure vacuum to safely send ambient air past UV lamps that split oxygen molecules into ozone. This ozone then gets injected into the water and immediately oxidizes any contaminants. It then reverts back to oxygen and escapes into the air.
As ozone passes through the water, it destroys any bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants that are present. This eliminates most of the contaminants that would normally require a sanitizer like chlorine to kill. In fact, ozone will actually make chlorine less effective because it oxidizes more of the contaminants than does chlorine on its own.
However, ozone cannot fully replace chlorine because it does not create hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions. These are known as combined chlorines and they have a very unpleasant smell and can be irritants for humans to breathe in. Therefore, ozone is best used in conjunction with a traditional pool chemical like chlorine or biguanide as a backup sanitizer.
Eliminates Bacteria
If a pool has an ozone generator, bacteria and other unwanted microorganisms can’t thrive. This is because ozone is a powerful oxidizer that destroys these organisms by oxidizing organic debris, waste products, and chlorine byproducts (chloramines).
In addition, ozone reduces and even eliminates chloramines, and prevents the buildup of calcium carbonate scale on pool surfaces. It also kills algae, and is an effective disinfectant for hot tubs and spas.
Because ozone is so unstable, it cannot be purchased in gas tanks like other chemicals, and instead must be produced on-site with an ozone generator. The ozone is then dissolved in the pool water by one of several methods, including venturi injection. Once it is dissolved, the ozone will swimming pool ozone generator circulate throughout the entire pool water system and sanitize the water before returning back into the swimming area.
To get the most out of an ozone generator, the pool must be designed to work well with this type of treatment system. This is why pools built to work with ozone systems often have a return line that travels to the deep end of the pool. This allows the ozone to have more water to float through before it encounters a contaminant, which will then be oxidized by the ozone.
However, ozone does not last very long in the water — it quickly converts to oxygen. It is therefore important to have a backup sanitizer that does remain in the water for a longer period of time, such as chlorine or bromine. This will allow swimmers to safely swim in the pool without worrying about bacterial infections and other illnesses.
Eliminates Smells
A swimming pool ozone generator is an alternative to chlorine or bromine that does not have the same negative side effects. It reduces chlorine smells and does not cause stinging eyes or itchy skin. It also does not degrade swimsuits as chlorine can. Using a swimming pool ozone generator can significantly lower the amount of chemicals used to keep your water safe for swimmers and your equipment.
An ozone generator works through two different methods, either corona discharge or ultraviolet light (UV). Corona Discharge is the most common type of ozone generator for use in pools. It has an electrical charge that breaks apart oxygen molecules in the air, creating ozone that is then released into your pool. This allows ozone to enter your swimming pool through the circulation system and oxidize any pollutants in your water, which helps reduce bacteria and algae growth.
The unstable nature of ozone makes it quickly return back to oxygen (O2) in your swimming pool water, so it cannot hold a residual in the water. For this reason, it is important to also have a primary sanitizer like chlorine or bromine in your pool. Ideally, you should also have a backup sanitizer such as biguanide or hydrogen peroxide to ensure that your swimming pool is always fully sanitized. A great solution to help sanitize your swimming pool while reducing the need for chemical usage is to install The Pool Circulator, which dramatically improves circulation and eliminates dead zones in your swimming pool.
Reduces Maintenance
In addition to reducing chlorine demand, an ozone system helps your pool to retain its water clarity. It also prevents scale build-up and other contaminants that tend to stick around in the bottom of a pool. You’ll spend less time scrubbing algae off your walls and surfaces and more time swimming in sparkling clean water.
Pool ozone systems are easy to install as part of your existing filtration system. It’s important to get a system that is sized appropriately for your pool to make sure it works effectively. We recommend consulting with a pool professional to find out what size generator you need for your specific pool and climate conditions.
Once the ozone makes contact with your pool, it quickly oxidizes contaminants and chloramines and swimming pool ozone generator then reverts back to oxygen. It doesn’t stay in the water, and it isn’t a carcinogen like chlorine. In fact, ozone is actually safer for swimmers than chlorine.
While ozone isn’t recognized as a standalone sanitizer by most governments, it does work very well when used in conjunction with another disinfectant, such as chlorine. Most jurisdictions require that you still add chlorine to the pool, but it’s usually much less than a traditional chlorine pool would use. This will help you save even more on chemicals and reduce your overall pool maintenance costs.