Is a Pool Ozone Generator Right For You?
Let’s find out how it works and the pros and cons of installing one on your pool.
In the Pool industry, we’ve seen a wide range of pool sanitation methods. Ozone is one method that can be very useful in pools and spas, but is it right for you?
What is Pool Ozone?
Ozone is a blue-colored gas that’s made up of three oxygen atoms. Ozone is useful in swimming pools because it effectively kills and inactivates bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Ozone it’s a good oxidizer, which means that it can chemically destroy contaminants in the water.
Ozone sanitizes your pool water thru the circulation system. Once the circulated water is returned to the pool or spa, ozone is present at a very low and safe concentration, if at all. Because it does not maintain a residual disinfectant, another chemical, like chlorine or bromine, should be added to the pool to ensure that the water is completely sanitized and safe for swimming.
How Does a Pool Ozone Generator Work?
Ozone generators, are installed in the pool’s circulation system. As the water passes through the ozonator, it gets sanitized by the ozone before returning to the pool. Because ozone is not safe for humans, all or most of the ozone should be used up before the treated water is returned to the pool where it will come into contact with swimmers.
Ozone is usually generated by one of two methods: Corona Discharge or Ultraviolet Light.
Here are the differences on how these generators work:
Corona Discharge Ozonator
A corona discharge ozonator (also known as a corona discharge generator or CD ozone generator) uses high voltage electrical discharges to create ozone. These electrical discharges create a ring of energy, and as air flows through that ring, some oxygen molecules get split apart and reassemble to form ozone.
UV Ozonator
A UV ozone generator is a second method for producing ozone to disinfect your swimming pool. For ultraviolet light to turn air into ozone, air needs to be passed over UV lamps that emit light at 185 nanometers.
As the air passes over these lamps, the energy splits the oxygen molecules where they can then reassemble into ozone molecules. Remember, oxygen contains two oxygen atoms and ozone contains three. When the oxygen molecules split apart, they attempt to stabilize, forming ozone in the process.
Once the ozone is generated (using either type of generator), it needs to be dissolved into the water. The most common method is Venturi Injection. The device creates a pressure vacuum to draw the ozone gas into the pool water thru a tube as it circulates through the system.
Compare and Contrast
Both types of ozone generators do the same thing in terms of scrambling the oxygen atoms to produce ozone. However, they differ in a few key ways. First, corona discharge generators produce a higher concentration of ozone than UV generators, however, CD generators are more expensive to buy and install and are more difficult to maintain!
Be sure to research each of your options before making your final decision. Here at Aquascape, we typically recommend the UV ozone Generators.
Example: Ozone Oxidation System
Pool Ozone Generator Cost
The price of a pool ozone generator can vary widely by brand and size, costing anywhere from $1,000 to more than $3,000. However, ozone generators reduce the amount of chlorine needed to properly sanitize your pool, saving you money on chemicals.
You Still Need Chlorine!
We at Aquascape recommend using chlorine together with ozone, as they make a pretty good team.
An ozonator can offer another advantage to help you out in balancing your pool water chemistry. Ozone actually oxidizes inorganic and organic chloramines to help reduce combined chlorine, which can cause skin and eye irritation and allows your chlorine to be more productive.
Ozone Pool System Pros and Cons
Now that you know how pool ozone systems work, let’s get into a final list of pros and cons to help you decide if it’s right for your swimming pool or spa:
Pros
Works with in-ground, above ground, indoor, and outdoor pools
Works well with concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl liner pools
Several Options to choose from (CD and UV generators)
Effectively kills and inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites
Oxidizes chloramines making chlorine more effective
Cons
Ozone is dangerous for humans and needs to be carefully contained
Ozonators can be expensive to buy and install
Ozonator is a supplemental sanitizer only. Must be combined with chlorine or bromine for your pool to maintain proper sanitation.
Both type of ozone generators will require maintenance every few years.