- [Narrator] Wondering if a hot tub Ozonator
is right for you, adding an Ozonator to your spa
is easier than you might think.
And an Ozonator can save you money on chemicals
while keeping your water free of contaminants.
So here's everything that you need to know
about hot tub Ozonators, check it out.
(upbeat music)
First, how does a hot tub Ozonator work?
A hot tub Ozonator generates and injects ozone gas
into your spa water.
Ozone helps to remove impurities from the water
and reduce the amount of chemicals that you need
to keep your hot tub running clean.
You're probably familiar with oxygen or O2.
Ozone or O3 is a beefed up version of oxygen
that kills contaminants in your spa water.
Ozone attaches itself to bacteria and other contaminants
in your hot tub water.
This includes lotions, soap, makeup, cologne,
sunscreen, hairspray and even bodily fluids.
Now, if you have an Ozonator,
you still have to use a little hot tub sanitizer
like chlorine or bromine,
but ozone can work with way less sanitizer
than you'd normally need.
Ozone not only destroys microorganisms
but it also helps clump together
total dissolved solids in the water
and that makes it easier
for your filter cartridge to remove them.
And because it's so reactive,
ozone also helps break up chlorine and bromine molecules
that have bonded to contaminants.
That means you won't have to shock your hot tub as often
because ozone frees up your sanitizer
and helps it stay active in the water.
However, there is a downside to ozone's power,
because ozone is so reactive it can wreak havoc
on the vinyl interior of your hot tub cover.
So be sure to add a hot tub thermal blanket
to protect the inside of your cover.
Okay, let's talk about the two main types of Ozonators.
Ultra violet light and corona discharge.
While they both have the same functions,
UV and CD Ozonators each have their pros and cons.
First up ultra violet light Ozonators.
These use UV light to split oxygen molecules
into free oxygen atoms, these free oxygen atoms recombine
with ambient oxygen to create ozone.
Now on the plus side,
UV systems are not affected by ambient humidity
so they'll produce ozone no matter the climate.
They're also easier to clean.
On the downside, they're not as powerful,
they have a shorter lifespan and they may cost more to run
if you've got a large hot tub.
Also their bulbs
have to be replaced every two to three years.
Now, what about corona discharge Ozonators aka CD Ozonators.
These models use much newer technology than UV systems.
A corona discharge is a sheet of plasma
that's created when a conductor is ionized by electricity.
It looks like a halo or a crown and corona means crown.
CD Ozonators have a long lifespan,
high efficiency and lower costs than UV Ozonators.
They can also handle much larger volumes of water.
They don't have cartridges, chips or bulbs to replace
and their plate ionizers can last up to 10 years.
The drawback, they don't work well in high humidity.
So if you live in an area where humidity is 60% or higher,
it's not the best option.
Now, before we get into adding an Ozonator to your spa,
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Okay, here's how to get your spa ready to add an Ozonator.
Most newer hot tubs are sold as Ozonator ready,
which means they already have hookup for the unit.
Number one, you wanna check your owner's manual
and verify that your hot tub will accept an Ozonator.
If there's room and a power hookup for your device,
you're good to go.
Two, determine the proper voltage
either 120 or 240 volts.
Three, check your electrical system to make sure
your timer works properly
and your entire hardware system is protected
by the ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI.
Four, repair any leaks in your spa plumbing
before you install something new.
Five, check the filters and clean them if necessary.
Six is to drain your hot tub and fill it with fresh water
to give your Ozonator a clean start.
Seven, balance and sanitize your hot tub water.
Remember, ozone reduces the amount
of chemicals needed and improves water quality
but it won't replace your sanitizer.
Eight, verify the plug type that you need
to connect the Ozonator to your hot tubs control pack.
Okay, your hot tub is Ozonator ready,
and if you like to install your Ozonator yourself
be sure to check out our complete step-by-step guide
on our website, swimuniversity.com.
Okay, so you've installed your system,
you've powered it up,
now how do you maintain a hot tub Ozonator?
One, make sure that it's generating ozone.
Test your hot tub water regularly
with ozone test strips or a meter, then adjust your hardware
or increase your Ozonator runtime accordingly.
Two, check your ozone delivery system.
No matter how much ozone your unit's generating
if you have a faulty ozone injector
nothing will reach the water.
So check your ozone injector
before you troubleshoot or replace the entire system.
Number three, inspect the check valve.
Keeping water out of your Ozonator is essential
and your check valve is a key part of preventing backflow.
If this valve leaks or fails,
your hot tub could quickly destroy your Ozonator.
So check your valve regularly
as part of your hot tub maintenance routine.
And that's it, that's how a hot tub Ozonator works.
If you missed anything or have any questions,
please leave a comment to let us know,
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that's it, thanks again and happy soaking.