Reliable and powerful, this model can cover a whole house and also functions as an air purifier, according to our home improvement expert.
Removes cigarette smoke odors within minutes and handles strong odors well, too. Has a UV lamp and a HEPA filter for total filtration. Remote control offers easy operation. Responsive manufacturer customer service.
Timer is troublesome, malfunctioning for some users and causing it to run longer than intended. Fan can run very loudly.
Compact but powerful, this model can freshen large and small areas easily, making it ideal for homes or cars.
Meets or exceeds its advertised ozone output of 4,500 milligrams per hour. Ozone plates are inexpensive to replace. Does an excellent job removing baked-in odors from smoke, mold, and other contaminants. Weighs just five pounds.
Runs loudly after significant use. Chemical smell may linger for days after multiple full-cycle treatments.
A smart-looking option with a variety of functions that help to clean and deodorize your home.
This unit has triple-action cleaning power. It can deodorize the air through ozone production, remove larger dust and allergens via a carbon filter, and drop dust to the floor through ionization. The model also comes with a remote to make operation easy.
The unit can build up dust rather quickly, requiring frequent cleanings.
A popular choice among painters and home cooks that need to get rid of strong odors.
Can be used for spaces up to 2,250 sq. ft. Equipped with a hold function that allows continuous output without turning off the unit. Effective at removing tobacco and musty odors in older homes. Simple and reliable.
Might not be powerful enough to remove deep-set odors from homes or offices.
A new, filter-free design that guarantees a whopping 6,000 hours of service. Ideal for landlords, according to our home improvement expert.
Light and portable aluminum construction, but still offers a robust air cleaning experience. Effective at deodorizing rooms with mildew, mold, and tobacco odors. Operation is user-friendly. Popular choice for pet owners as well.
Some reports that the device malfunctions, and getting in touch with customer service can be challenging.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
Every house has a distinctive odor. For some, it's a pleasant one, but others, not so much. You might think you are forever cursed with a stinky house, but it is possible to kill the bacteria causing your home to smell and once again have untainted air. That is exactly what an ozone generator does.
Ozone kills indiscriminately, so you must be very careful when choosing and using an ozone generator. You want a unit with a timer so it shuts off after the treatment is finished. A model that also features a HEPA filter can remove allergens from the air. An ozone generator requiring less maintenance offers a more pleasant user experience.
Unlike an air purifier, an ozone generator does not draw air into the device to remove airborne particulates, it releases a gas into the environment that destroys living things, such as the bacteria which can cause troublesome odors. According to NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), ozone levels as low as 5 ppm (parts per million) are considered immediately dangerous to life and health. It is important to remember the danger of even trace amounts of ozone — you should never be in the same room as an ozone generator while it is operating.
The most important feature to consider when selecting an ozone generator is how much ozone the unit can actually generate per hour. Technical aspects of how the ozone is produced or how many ceramic plates your machine has are less important to know. If the manufacturer does not list the amount of ozone that can be produced each hour, there's a good chance it's not an impressive amount. The higher the ozone output, the more effective the treatment is and the less time you need to have the machine on and your room (or home) unoccupied.
Since it’s dangerous to be in the same room as an active ozone generator, opt for one with a timer so it can shut off on its own. Additionally, one with a delayed start can come in handy; it gives you time to get out of the room before the machine starts generating ozone.
An ozone machine doesn't work by drawing air through the unit, it needs the ozone to disperse through the environment to be effective. The stronger the fan is, the greater the coverage. If you can find a unit that directs the ozone up it increases its coverage since ozone is heavier than air.
Some ozone generators have a control that allows you to set the desired level of ozone. If that is important to you, look for a model with that feature.
If you need dust and allergens removed from the air, an ozone generator alone cannot do it. You need an ozone generator that features a filter.
Though you likely need to pay a bit more, you can find ozone generator models you control with a remote.
The cabinet housing your ozone generator can range from an industrial look to a more traditional wooden cabinet. Unobtrusive plug-in models are also available, which are barely noticeable. If you have a stylistic preference, look for a model that aligns with your tastes.
Some ozone generators, especially ones with additional features, may require a great deal of maintenance. If upkeep is not your forte, look for a model that requires minimal maintenance.
Inexpensive: The lowest price range for ozone generators is $22 to $50. In this bracket, the ozone generators are portable machines that plug directly into an outlet like a nightlight would, and are only effective in small spaces such as a bathroom. Do not be misled by the small size, these units must still be run in an empty room for safety.
Mid-range: From $50 to $90, the ozone generators are tabletop-sized and feature a timer along with a larger, more powerful fan. These units are suitable for use in a large room.
Expensive: From $100 to $200 and more, you can find models that allow you to adjust the amount of ozone produced. Additionally, ozone generators in this price range may include remote control operation, multiple ceramic ozone plates, and other features such as a HEPA filter to remove allergens from the air.
Improperly using an ozone generator can be fatal. It is important to make safety a priority and follow all usage instructions. Please note, these tips do not replace any instructions that come with your machine, and they are by no means all-encompassing. They offer a general idea of how the process works.
Use signage. It is essential to place warning signs on all entry doors when an ozone treatment is in progress so no one unknowingly enters the hazardous environment.
Pre-clean the area. Before using an ozone generator, it is important to give the area a thorough cleaning to allow the ozone to work more effectively.
Seal the area. Close all doors and windows to contain the ozone so it can efficiently do its job.
Open cabinets. Open cabinets and closets in the contained area to allow the ozone access to all areas of the space being treated.
Elevate the unit. Ozone is heavier than air. Unless your ozone generator has a fan that may be directed upward, the machine works best when elevated.
Circulate the ozone. If you have central air, you can use it to help circulate the ozone. Otherwise, using strategically placed fans is your next best solution.
Use a timer. The safest way to stop an ozone treatment is by using the timer on your unit so it automatically shuts off after the treatment is completed.
Stay out. At no time should you be in the same room as an operating ozone generator.
Be patient. Give the ozone ample time to revert to normal air before reoccupying the treated space.
A. The answer to that question is dependent on where the ozone is found. The ozone high over the earth — a little over six miles high — is a lifesaver. This ozone protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. Down on the ground, however, the EPA considers ozone a harmful pollutant. It is biocidal: it's a substance that destroys membranes, ruptures cells, and deactivates enzymes.
A. All the qualities that make ozone lethal to plants and animals allow it to kill odor-causing bacteria as well.
A. No. It is a toxic substance. In fact, ozone generators have been banned in California.
A. Ozone generators are one of the most powerful, cost-effective ways of permanently eliminating odors. Although ozone is a potentially lethal substance, it is also extremely aggressive, which means it breaks down rather quickly, having a half-life of only about 30 minutes. (Note: colder temperatures may increase the half-life of ozone.) Leaving the room or your home for a period of time is an acceptable solution for individuals who are plagued by relentless odors and would like to use an ozone generator to solve the problem.
A. If you follow all the safety precautions and use an ozone generator exactly as directed, it can be somewhat likened to using a bug bomb — you don’t want to be around when it’s active, but after a sufficient airing-out period, the ozone will be gone.
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