We’re cautious about recommending or even reviewing ozone generators. They can be pretty dangerous if used improperly. But, when used responsibly… they can work really well. And, we think that the Enerzen Ozone Generator is among the best of the consumer / semi-commercial ozone machines you’ll find. That’s why we went out on a limb and wrote a review on it.
Enerzen Commercial Ozone Generator Line
The commercial line of O3 generators by Enerzen comprises three levels. The “weakest” generator produces a lower end 4,500mg of ozone. Stepping up to the midrange Enerzen commercial model yields 6,000mg. And at the upper end of the spectrum you get a huge 11,000mg of ozone. But, how much do you really need?
Well, since the price increase is pretty minimal we would recommend going with one of the top two options. Just for reference really high-end ozone generators used in large flood and fire restoration projects peak at about 14,000mg. So for general (but responsible) use… the 6 or 11,000mg model is more than enough and the 6k model will work for pretty much anyone (just not as fast).
Is Enerzen the best brand?
Most O3 machines are fairly good quality… the technology isn’t overly complex. However, there are shortcuts less honest vendors can take to boost thier margins. We have a few that we recommend over in our ozone machine overview article, but Enerzen are by far the most popular. You can use the CHECK PRICE link above to see a ton of consumer reviews, as well as the price.
If we had to just point someone in the right direction, without going too deep into details, we’d just recommend an Enerzen. They’ve been around for a fairly long time. They’re honest about the dangers of Ozone. And, they’re by far the most responsive group we can think of should any questions arise.
Now, if you have time to geek out on our Ozone generator reviews… we think you should. Obviously. But, we know you’re short on time. So let’s get our two big complaints out of the way, and get more into the minor details later. First, these (and many others) tend to get a little rattle-prone after a lot of use. Which, in all honesty shouldn’t be an issue because you do not want to be within hearing distance when these are running. Second, the cord is short. It’s only five feet long… that’s pretty short if you think about positioning it in a room. Fewer than ten feet really kills your flexibility. Yes, you can use an extension cord… but we think Enerzen should step it up and offer a long cord. Like a higher end commercial ozone generator.
Ozone Generator Instructions
First and foremost, be careful when using any Ozone machine. These things can really mess up your lungs. Be wary of anyone selling a generator as a “Ozone air purifier.” They should not be used like an air purifier, O3 is a serious restoration tool. Now lets cover the basics (always consult the manual though).
1. Seal the room
You don’t want to be near the machine when it’s running. Restoration companies go as far as to mask off and separate spaces with plastic barriers. Definitely keep pets, children, or pretty much any living thing away from the machine. Like we said earlier…Ozone is pretty hard on your respiratory system.
2. Start on a lower setting
Don’t run the machine on high right off the bat. Things can get out of control pretty quickly, and it will take a lot longer to air out a room if you go overboard on the O3. Also, monitoring equipment is pretty expensive… but essential if you want to get things done “right.” With that said, you can tell pretty easy if you’re overdoing it. When you go into check on the machine or turn it off you’ll probably smell a change in the air. Don’t dilly dally… minimize breathing, get in there and turn off the machine and get out of the space.
Once you’re out, reflect on the smell. If it smelled like bleach, you were producing too much ozone for the space. Now, if it smelled like the air after a thunderstorm you’re just about right. And, if you smell nothing you’re too low. Things like temperature, the odor, and humidity will affect how long the ozone lasts and how well it works. So start small and work your way up to an acceptable level. We start by setting the timer to 10 or fewer minutes.
3. Wait and then Ventilate
Since the Enerzen machines have a timer you can typically just wait and avoid any contact with ozone. Just give the room about 30 to 60 minutes before you go enter. Ozone dissipation varies based on conditions but as long as you didn’t go crazy… things should clear out fairly quick. Like we said above, if it smells like chlorine or bleach you overdid it. Get out and give it more time to clear. When seems to have dissipated, open doors or windows to ventilate. If you have to ventilate into a living space geout of the house for a while and be sure to take kids, dogs, cats, etc. with you.
4. Reassess
This will depend on what you’re trying to fix, but you should let the room sit for a while and assess the situation. If you set up plastic barriers don’t take them down for a few hours. Make sure you’re satisfied with the results. If you need to start over, take what you learned from the first try and make a few adjustments. Eventually things should clear out. Just remember that you’re not a pro… so don’t expect that you’ll be perfect on the first try.
What we like
First, we love the price of these machines. They’re surprisingly affordable. Compared to knockoffs and janky competitors, you aren’t paying that much more to get a reputable brand’s machine.
Second, all three Enerzen machines are light and compact. Much lighter than a high end, huge space model. Those are heavy enough that they typically have wheels. It’s nice to have something that works well for most spaces and when you’re not using it, it stashes away in a closet, cabinet, or garage shelf.
Third, it’s great for freshening up your car’s interior. We do not recommend sprays or ionizers in your car. They produce some nasty fumes and byproducts. We do however, recommend high-quality car purifiers or True HEPA cabin replacement filters. But, with that said nothing will remove prior owner stink or wet dog smell like a champ. Just make sure you do it on the weekend so you can give it time to air out before you drive. You can also run the A/C or heat while you’re treating the car to deodorize your HVAC.
Fourth, compared to other options (especially knockoffs) it’s really well built.
What we don’t like
Well, we already complained a bit about the short (5 foot) cord. It’s not the end of the world, but it could be fixed for not a lot of money. There are some other minor things we can address, but it’s pretty hard to get too worked up since they work so well.
We also don’t really see why the replacement elements cost 1/3 the price of the machine itself. They last 6,000 hours so again it’s not a huge deal but that’s a hefty chunk of change compared to the machine itself.
Ozone Generator FAQ
1. Do Ozone Generators Remove Smoke Odor?
Yes, they most definitely remove smoke odor. And, that’s exactly why most professional remediation specialists include an ozone generator in their arsenal of specialized tools. But, just like any professional grade tool you need to be careful while getting the hang of using the machine.
2. Do Ozone Generator Kill Bugs (or Other Pests)?
Perhaps… but, we’ve never heard of anyone successfully using Ozone to dispatch ants, roaches, or any bugs for that matter. So on this one we’re comfortable saying NO… ozone generators aren’t effective bug killers. Unless you use one to squish a spider. Then yes… they are somewhat effective.
3. Can you Rent an Ozone Machine and How Much does it Cost?
There are a few rental services (online and brick and mortar) who will rent you a machine. But, we’ve never tried to rent one. The prices we’ve seen quoted (north of a hundred dollars on some sites) just doesn’t make sense to us when you can buy one for about the same price. Furthermore… if you buy one and then sell it when you’re done (for say… 50% less than you paid) you’ll have more money at the end than if you rented. So, unless you need a lot of machines or are confident operating a ultra powerful industrial unit; we say stick to the commercial and consumer models.
4. Are Ozone Machines Harmful
This is a pretty common question. As it should be. Ozone can irritate and harm your respiratory system. But, if you follow the recommended precautions and follow the instructions. You should be fine. It’s a bit like asking if a table saw can be harmful. The answer to that is a resounding YES! but as long as you take precautions, read the manual, and follow instructions you’ll be fine.
5. Do Ozone Generators Kill Mold
Here’s another question we see pretty often regarding the use of an Ozone generator in the home. And, while most sites are correct in saying that yes ozone kan kill mold; many miss the mark on providing a good answer with any context. So here’s our attempt. First of all, realize that there’s mold spores floating around in your house and outside right now. They are common and aren’t harmful at all (for the most part).
The problem occurs when a mold finds a habitat where it can flourish. That’s when things get out of control. If there’s a food source, ideal temperature, perfect humidity, and so on… mold goes crazy and the toxins, odors, and gases they produce in large numbers becomes a problem. Modify one variable and they can all die. For example if you increase temperature a few degrees one mold will die and another can take over.
So what do you do? First you need to identify the source of your problem and make repairs. Then clean things up. And, to get rid of the smell… use an Ozone generator. Do not think for a second that you can have an ongoing mold problem one day… then order a widget the next and everything is fine.
Final Thoughts
We think the Enerzen Commercial Ozone Generator line is top notch. They work well, they don’t cost much, and they’re small. You do need to be realistic with your expectations. If you’re house has a ton of cat pee soaked into the subfloor or you had a serious fire… you’ll want to call a pro and have materials replaced. But, for most people’s needs the Enerzen models are more than enough. They’ll pull dead rodent smells out of a shed. Or wet dog smell out of your SUV. These even help with cigarette odor.
We’re pleased with results and build quality. But, if you do buy one… please be careful. Ozone is no joke. Use it responsibly and safely.