WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW…
Overview
Let’s begin by defining what an ozone ionizer air cleaner is and isn’t. There is a lot of confusion amongst consumers, due to the fact that some “ionizers” create ozone. Once we have ‘cleared the air” (sorry for the pun) about the differences we’ll talk about different air cleaners and ionizers models that you’ll find reviewed on this site.
Ozone and Ions are different.
What Is Ozone?
Ozone is an oxygen molecule (O2) with an added, unstable molecule added (O3). This unstable molecule is created by lightning, orby electrical charge. In the case of the Air Purifiers ozone machines are called “ozone generators and while very effective for mold, mildew, odors and gases too much Ozone can irritate lungs. Brand names include Alpine and Ecoquest as well as some Chinese air purifiers with Ozone added. These Ozone molecules go out into a room and kill odor, they don’t work inside the machine itself.
VIDEO: Ozone Ionizer Air Cleaner Dangers
What Is An Ionizer?
An ionizer uses electrically charged metal plates, and often charged wires, to create an electrical field that has both a negative and a positive charge. These plates attract pollution and odors. That’s because these toxins also have a charge so the plates act like a magnet. Models include the Oreck (truman cells), Ionic Breeze, and any air cleaner called ionic. They use washable plates or grids. The challenge has been that these “ionic plates” can create ozone as a byproduct of the electrical charge. So the term ” Ozone Ionizer Air Cleaner ” might better be called “ionizer air cleaner that creates ozone”.
The video below explains Ionizers and their pro’s and con’s.
Ionizer Pros and Cons
Conclusion
While ionizers are fine for removing odor and pollution they are not very effective at dust and pollen. This is because pollen and dust have little electric charge. But if pollution and odor is your main problem they would be an inexpensive way to treat these issues. I would just look for an ionizer that has plates which do not create ozone.
Ozone on the other hand is great for mold and odor, but you want to be away from the room you are treating when you run ozone.
A complete list of air ionizers and air purifiers, with comparisons, is available via the link below…
Ozone Ionizer Air Cleaner Comparison Chart