Hot Tubs and Ozonators

Ozone protects our earth from harmful UV rays if it stays high up in the stratosphere, but causes harm to living systems closer to our atmosphere. This strange unstable substance, formed by exposing oxygen to corona discharges, can also be used to destroy harmful microorganisms in air and water.

Ozone is a powerful sanitizer. By injecting ozone gas into Hot Tub water, it can be disinfected more effectively than with chlorine and bromine. Ozone also breaks down body oils and cosmetics in the water and keeps it clear and fresh for longer periods.

Ozonators are equipment that can be installed in your hot tub. With ozonators and incidental supplies you can inject ozone into your hot tub water. Ozonized water requires low levels of chlorine and bromine, and less clarifier and de-foaming chemicals. The costs saved on these supplies can pay back the initial cost of the ozonator installation.

Less chlorine, bromine and other chemicals mean not only savings in costs but also a more pleasing experience relaxing in the hot tub. The chemicals impart a “chemical odor” to the water and can also irritate your skin and eyes. Ozonators can reduce the volume of chemicals substantially.

By operating the ozonator for about three hours during every 12-hour period, ozone can be made to do most of the water purification and only low quantities of chlorine and bromine need to be added. The number of water changes can also be reduced to almost once a year instead of the usual once in three months without an ozonator. Considering the effort and disruption involved in each water change, this is a major advantage.

Modern ozonators use an electronic chip to make ozone using the corona discharge process. These chips are more long-lasting and reliable than the UV light bulbs used in older models.

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Hot Tub Repair: Helpful Hints 2

In the first article of these hints on hot tub repair, we mentioned that DIY hot tub repair can be messy or even dangerous (if electrical work is involved) for amateurs. However, a general idea about problems and likely causes can help you brief the repair person properly so that the person can come prepared and complete the job quickly.

Hot Tub Works but Water does not get adequately Heated

The problem in this case could be with the power supply, heater, thermostat or one of several others.

• Is the power supply at the required voltage, i.e. 110 volts or 220 volts as appropriate for your hot tub?
• Is the water flowing when the pump is running? It could be that an air lock is preventing water flow, which in turn cuts off power supply to the heater. You can solve the air lock problem by closing the water intake valve to the pump and then loosening the plumbing in front just enough for the air to escape. Tighten the plumbing and open the intake valve before re-energizing the pump.
• If water flow is okay, the problem could be with the heater. Switch to thermostat mode and turn thermostat clockwise to max. Check power at heater terminals. If power is okay and water sill does not heat in reasonable time, the problem is most likely with the heater element.
• It could happen that the pump does not engage with the thermostat, or the power at the heater is not correct (and you don’t really know what to do), it is best you call in a hot tub repair person who can check the contactors and other issues. The problem could be with the thermostat or the controls, best left to professionals to handle.

You should be able to provide meaningful information to the repair person even if you couldn’t solve the problem.

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How Chlorine and Ozone Work together in a Hot Tub

Chlorine is used to kill bacteria and viruses in the water in the hot tub. Chlorine combines with water to make hypochlorous acid that destroys the molecules of microorganisms in the water. Depending on the pH of the water, hypochlorous acid changes partly into hypochlorite ions that do not kill microorganisms. Higher pH of water leads to more hypochlorite and less effective disinfectation.

Chlorine combines with ammonia and nitrogen in the water to form chloramines. The sweat and other body products of bathers can contain ammonia while rain water contains nitrogen. Chloramines are practically ineffective as disinfectants and also smell bad. They make the water cloudy and cause irritation to skin and eyes.

Chloramines are removed through “shock treatments” through super-chlorination or using other chemicals. Super-chlorination can prove ineffective unless done correctly and it also leaves the hot tub unusable for several hours until the level of chlorine comes down to harmless levels.

By adding ozone to the water, ammonia and nitrogen are removed from the water thus eliminating the formation of chloramines during chlorination. Ozone is a powerful oxidizer that oxidizes all the other stuff that bathers typically introduce into the water, such as soap, lotions, makeup, saliva and urine. Finally, it kills most of the microorganisms leaving only a minimum for the chlorine to complete the job.

What these mean is that you can use much less chlorine when ozone is used, and also that the unpleasant effects of chlorine use are avoided.

Ozone is not a product like Chlorine that you buy from the shop. Instead, you buy an ozonator that is installed on the hot tub along with needed plumbing. The ozonator generates Ozone on site and injects it into the water through the plumbing. The initial capital outlay on the ozonator and installation pays for itself in the form of a much more pleasing hot tub experience.

For more information please contact – Hot Tub Repair Man

If you need a ozone unit, please goto – Hot Tub DIY