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Which is better ozone or UV?

Between Ozone and Ultraviolet, which pool sanitizer is better?

The short answer: Ozone is a more powerful oxidizer in swimming pool water than ultraviolet (UV-C). In fact, UV is not an oxidizer at all! 

We’ll also talk about how they work together to make the most powerful pool sanitizer on the market. But first, let’s take a look at the benefits of ozone sanitizers and UV-C sanitizers. Then, you can make your own determination of which technology you think is better. 

HOW ARE OZONE AND UV THE SAME?

Before we talk about the key differences, there are a few shared features and benefits of ozone and UV-C.

Both ozone and UV-C sanitizer technologies give customers the opportunity to lower overall chlorine levels and usage. 

Both ozone and UV-C sanitizers can eliminate chlorine byproducts and help make pools healthier and easier to manage. 

They both improve and enhance pool water better than a residual sanitizer alone. UV-C however, does not oxidize contaminants. 

CMP regularly promotes the need for safer, cleaner, clearer pool and spa water. We truly care about clean, healthy water and spare no effort in creating products that help make that happen. We believe both ozone and UV-C technologies have something great to offer in the fight for safer recreational water. 

THE BENEFITS OF UV-C IN A POOL

Ultraviolet is considered one of the best available technologies for pool water disinfection, and it’s a great introduction to advanced sanitizer systems. The only active disinfectant in UV-C is rays of light. No additional chemicals, gases or oxidants are added to the water. 

When properly sized and with sufficient contact time, UV-C disinfects by killing bacteria, viruses and other living microorganisms in the water.

Key Features of UV-C: 

✔️ Germicidal UV-C Technology Prevents Microorganism Growth

✔️ UV-C Sanitizers Break Down Chloramines & Optimize Water Clarity

✔️ A “Clean” Technology: UV-C Reduces Chemical Dependency Without Adding By-Products

UV-C does not create ozone and does not oxidize. As with ozone, a residual sanitizer should be used in conjunction with UV-C. Harnessing the power of ultraviolet light rays, UV-C breaks apart dangerous contaminants at the DNA level preventing them from spreading. 

Ultraviolet is a great introduction for customers to advanced sanitizer systems. You can add UV-C to any pool and it will make it safer by destroying microorganisms, breaking down irritating chloramines, and keeping the water clearer.


🤓 Curious about the meaning of some terms and phrases? See our Glossary of Terms & Definitions related to this article.


THE BENEFITS OF OZONE IN A POOL OR SPA

Unlike oxygen that we breathe (O2 or molecular oxygen), ozone is made up of three oxygen atoms (O3). The third oxygen atom in ozone has a weak bond, which breaks off and destroys foreign material in pool and spa water. 

Ozone molecules react with dissolved, waterborne contaminants in a series of strong oxidation reactions that safely kill pathogens, microorganisms and both organic and inorganic contaminants. 

Key Features of Ozone: 

✔️ Ozone Oxidizes – A powerful oxidizer, ozone destroys dangerous organisms and pathogens including chlorine-resistant contaminants.

✔️ Ozone Destroys – Ozone destroys all those smelly chloramines that inhibit free chlorine and lower water quality. Ozone breaks these down so that chlorine can work better.

✔️ Ozone Clarifies – Ozone acts as a micro-flocculent, essentially “polishing” the water for a crystal clear look you have to see to believe.

✔️ Ozone Reduces Chemicals – Ozone frees up chlorine to work better, which means you can add less chlorine while still maintaining a safe residual.

HOW DO DEL OZONE AND DEL UV-C FROM CMP STAND OUT?

AWARD-WINNING, HIGH-FLOW UV-C: The DEL UV-C® 50 is an award-winning sanitizer solution that is totally chemical-free. This unit isn’t just reliable and serviceable; the UV-C 50 is a high-flow unit designed for easy, single-unit installation. 

ADVANCED UV SYSTEM DESIGN: The UV-C 50 is easy to install with integrated unions, simple setup and optional plug-in design. It’s also the easiest way to introduce customers to advanced sanitizers. View DEL UV-C Products.

ADVANCED PLASMA GAP® (APG) TECHNOLOGY: DEL Ozone® uses APG technology to create powerful ozone that can oxidize pool contaminants and reduce chemical requirements. 


Patented APG technology is superior to UV-style ozone generation and outdated corona discharge cell units and generates more ozone per cell, outperforming the life of the unit. View DEL Ozone Products.

 


WHAT ELSE IS THERE BESIDES OZONE AND UV FOR POOLS?

The only residential sanitizer more powerful than ozone is Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP). This all-in-one powerhouse sanitizer quickly and completely transforms pool and spa water making it crystal clear, safe and free of chloramines. 

DEL AOP® is designed to give you everything you need in a high-powered sanitizer. Plus it’s smart, third-party verified to work and full-flow to treat all of the water. View DEL AOP.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Coupled with an active sanitizer like chlorine, Ozone and UV-C sanitizer systems help maintain a safe residual by sharing the sanitizer burden and reducing dependence on chemicals alone. 

However, we mentioned at the beginning of this article how one option outperforms the other with respect to oxidation of pool contaminants. That option is ozone. 


DEL ADVANCED SANITIZER SOLUTIONS

Since 1975, DEL (originally DEL Ozone®) has been a global leader in cutting-edge and environmentally friendly advanced ozone and UV technologies. DEL brands have served a multitude of industries including swimming pools & spas, commercial aquatics, zoos & aquariums, and more. 

DEL products and systems are reliable and MAHC compliant with the CDC and are backed by approvals and certifications from NSF, UL, EPA, USDA and the FDA.

View all CMP Pool Sanitizer Systems.


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