House Grail is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.
How Long Do I Wait After Using an Ozone Generator to Enter a Room?
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
Ozone generators are a cost-efficient way to remove any indoor odors and pollutants. However, you cannot use this generator with any living being inside the home. When used improperly, ozone generators have been linked to a number of health conditions.
For best results, wait at least 4 hours before entering a room where the ozone generator was used. For even better results, don’t enter the home at all for at least 4 hours after the generator has finished its run.
Read on for a complete look at how long you should wait after using an ozone generator in your house.
Why Can’t You Stay in a Room With an Ozone Generator On?
Ozone generators use gas ozone to remove pollutants and odors within the house. Ozone is comprised of three oxygen atoms. The oxygen we normally breathe consists of two atoms. This third oxygen atom used in ozone detaches from the molecule and reattaches to other compositions, allowing it to remove odors.
Unfortunately, the ozone used in ozone generators is harmful to your health. It interacts with organic material, both inside and outside the body. Whenever it is inhaled, ozone primarily damages the lungs.
When inhaled in low doses, it can lead to short-term side effects like coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, or throat irritation. When inhaled in high doses, it can lead to chronic respiratory diseases, like asthma and the inability to fight respiratory infections.
A full list of side effects of inhaling ozone include:
Decreased lung function
Cough
Throat irritation
Irritation of asthma
Lung tissue inflammation
Increased susceptibility to respiratory infection
These side effects are a threat to all living beings, but they are especially dangerous for individuals who have pre-existing lung conditions and individuals who are exposed to high amounts of ozone air.
Image Credit: Red_Shadow, Shutterstock
How Long to Wait After Using an Ozone Generator
Because of the dangers associated with ozone generators, you never want to be in the same room as an ozone generator when it is in use. How long you have to wait after using an ozone generator ultimately depends on the size of the room or home being cleaned.
From there, you have to figure out how long you run the ozone generator and how long it will take for the ozone to dissipate from the air. You should only enter the home once the ozone has dissipated.
How Long Should I Run an Ozone Generator?
Ozone generators can be run anywhere from 3–30 hours of continuous use. If you are only using ozone in a small-sized room, you can use the generator for 3–10 hours. If you want to clean out an entire home, the generator will need to be run for 25–30 hours in total.
How Long Does It Take for Ozone to Dissipate?
Once the ozone generator has completed its run, the ozone then has to dissipate. This dissipation process is whenever the third atom returns back to the other two. It normally takes 30 minutes to 2 hours for this dissipation process to happen in small rooms, but it can take upwards of 4 hours in larger areas and homes.
To be on the safe side, it’s good to wait for an additional 4–5 hours before entering the room or home. By this time, all the ozone should have dissipated, rendering the home safe to enter again.
Image Credit: Pxhere
Can You Use an Ozone Machine in the Next Room?
If you are only using the generator in one room, you may be tempted to simply shut the door and stay in another room in your home. Although this method is better than staying in the room outright, it’s best to leave your home entirely and find another place to stay until the ozone has dissipated.
As you probably know, air molecules are very small and can slip through the tiniest of cracks. For this reason, the ozone can spread out to the rest of the house, even if you have shut the door.
The best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe is to leave the house entirely. Take all living organisms with you as well.
How to Safely Use an Ozone Generator
Leaving the home isn’t the only safety tip to keep in mind when using an ozone generator.
Here are some other tips to ensure you safely use the generator in your house:
Remove all living organisms from the home before running the generator.
Remove or cover all valuable items, such as metals and paper, before running the generator.
Don’t run the generator in humid environments.
Set the shutdown timer before getting started.
Wait a minimum of 4 hours before reentering your home after the ozone generator has been used.
Clean out the ozone generator every two to six months, depending on how frequently you use it.
Final Thoughts
Even though ozone generators do a great job at cleaning your home, they come with health risks. You can avoid these health risks by taking yourself and all your loved ones out of the home while the generator is in use.
You will want to stay outside of the home for the entire duration the generator is running. Then, stay outside the home for an additional 4 hours at the minimum to allow the ozone to dissipate. By then, it is safe to re-enter your home. Enjoy the clean smell!
Featured Image Credit: Elena Bellart, Shutterstock
Contents
Writer
Pete Ortiz
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
