7 Common Causes an Ozone Generator is Not Making Enough Ozone with Easy Fixes

A common question we get is, “Why isn’t my ozone generator making enough ozone? Today I want to cover seven common causes why an ozone generator is not making enough ozone with easy fixes. Later, I will do a post with secondary troubleshooting checks and things about when to consult us or a qualified ozone technician.

If your ozone generator does not seem to be producing as much ozone as it used to, you may be thinking about replacing it. But before you buy a new ozone generator, there are several things you should check.

The ozone generator may not be the problem

An ozone system has several parts that work together. The air or oxygen supply, tubing, check valves, venturi injector, water flow, and back pressure can all affect how much ozone reaches the water.

In some cases, the generator may be producing ozone normally, but the system is not delivering it properly.

Here are eight common things to check before replacing your ozone generator.

Quick Troubleshooting Guide

Symptom	Possible Cause	What to Check
Little or no ozone gas	Moisture in feed air	Air dryer, filters, humidity
Ozone output seems weak	Dirty air/filter	Clean or replace filter
Water backing into system	Failed check valve	Inspect/replace check valve
Weak suction at venturi	Incorrect installation	Check pressure differential
Ozone bubbles are reduced	Excessive back pressure	Check filters, plumbing and injector
Oxygen-fed unit has low output	Oxygen generator problem	Check oxygen flow and maintenance
Ozone present at generator but not in water	Injection problem	Inspect venturi, tubing and check valve

What to Check

This section will show a rundown of the troubleshooting steps.

1. Dirty Air Can Reduce Ozone Production

Many ozone generators use air as the feed gas. That air needs to be reasonably clean.

Dust and other contaminants can collect on filters and restrict the amount of air entering the generator. A dirty filter can reduce airflow and may affect ozone production.

Start by checking the air filter and other parts of the air intake system.

If the filter is dirty, clean or replace it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

A simple filter check is often a good place to start because it is easy to overlook.

Check the air dryer. A2Z Ozone’s Silica Air Dryer collects the moisture, and when the beads turn pink, it is time to restore the beads to their blue color. We recommend that you keep an extra on hand to use while you dry out the beads, and we have a video displaying this process.

 

2. Humidity Can Affect Ozone Production

As mentioned, moisture is another important issue.

Ozone generators that use air or oxygen need a dry feed gas. High humidity can introduce moisture into the ozone generation system. This can reduce performance and may cause problems over time.

This is especially important in warm or humid environments.

If your ozone generator is producing less ozone than expected, check the air supply and make sure moisture is not getting into the generator.

Oxygen generators also require proper maintenance to provide the best possible feed gas.

3. Check the Check Valve

A check valve has an important job. It helps prevent water from traveling backward through the ozone tubing toward the generator.

If a check valve is worn, damaged, installed incorrectly, or blocked, it may not work properly.

Water getting into the ozone line can cause serious problems for the system.

If you suspect a problem, inspect the check valve and make sure it is installed in the correct direction.

A check valve is a small part, but it can have a big effect on an ozone system.

 

 

4. Inspect the Ozone Tubing

Take a look at the tubing between the ozone generator and the injection point.

Look for:

• Cracks
• Kinks
• Loose connections
• Blockages
• Brittle or damaged tubing

A small leak can reduce the amount of ozone reaching the water.

Tubing also needs to be compatible with ozone. Some materials do not hold up well when exposed to ozone over time. Better yet, if your setup is able to use PTFE tubing, this may be your best solution. It is long-lasting, but very hard and not very flexible.

If the tubing looks damaged or has become hard and brittle, it may be time to replace it.

5. Check the Venturi Injector or Diffuser Stone if Not Making Enough Ozone

A venturi injector uses moving water to create suction that pulls ozone gas into the water.

For a venturi to work correctly, the water needs to have the proper flow and pressure conditions.

If the venturi is installed incorrectly or there is not enough pressure difference across the injector, it may not pull ozone into the water as expected.

This can create a confusing situation.

You may have an ozone generator that is producing ozone, but very little of that ozone is actually being injected into the water.

Check the direction of the venturi, the water flow, and the pressure conditions around the injector.

For A2Z Ozone venturi systems, the installation requirements depend on the specific injector and application.

If your system uses a diffuser stone, check it for spotting and clogging. It is not as common that your ozone generator won’t produce ozone because of clogging, but it can affect the quality and flow for your ozonated water.

To learn the difference between using the venturi injector and a diffuser stone, watch this short video.

 

6. Your Oxygen Generator May Need Attention

Some ozone generators use an oxygen generator instead of ambient air.

The oxygen generator supplies the ozone generator with concentrated oxygen. If the oxygen generator is not working properly, the ozone generator may not be able to produce its expected output.

Check the oxygen generator according to its maintenance instructions.

Pay attention to filters, airflow, oxygen concentration, and any other maintenance items specified by the manufacturer.

If your ozone generator has an oxygen generator, do not assume that a low ozone reading automatically means the ozone generator itself has failed.

7. Too Much Back Pressure Can Reduce Performance

Water flow and pressure are important parts of an ozone venturi injection system.

If there is too much back pressure in the water line, it can affect the ability of the system to pull ozone into the water.

Back pressure can come from several sources, including:

• Clogged filter
• Restricted water line
• Partially closed valve
• Incorrectly sized venturi injector
• Plumbing restrictions
• Changes in the water system

If your system used to work well but the ozone injection has recently become weaker, check whether anything has changed in the water flow or plumbing.

A filter that is becoming clogged, for example, can change the pressure in the system.

After checking the rest of the system, you may find that the ozone generator really is producing less ozone than expected.

Ozone generators contain components that can wear over time. Their performance can also be affected by operating conditions, moisture, contamination, and other factors.

Before deciding that the generator has failed, check the items above.

If the air or oxygen supply is good, the tubing and check valve are working properly, the venturi is installed correctly, and the system does not have excessive back pressure, then the generator itself may need further evaluation.

Is the Generator Making Enough Ozone, or Is the System Failing to Inject It?

This is an important question.

There is a difference between ozone production and ozone transfer.

The generator may be producing ozone normally, while the injection system is not getting that ozone into the water efficiently.

For example, a problem with the venturi, tubing, check valve, or water flow can reduce ozone transfer even when the generator is working properly.

That is why it is a good idea to check the entire system before replacing the generator.

Don’t Assume You Need a New Generator

When an ozone system is not performing as expected, replacing the generator may seem like the easiest answer.

Sometimes it is.

But sometimes the problem is something much simpler.

When Should You Consider Replacing the Ozone Generator?

If you have checked the rest of the system and the ozone generator still does not produce the expected ozone output, it may be time to have the generator evaluated.

It is also important to make sure the generator is properly sized for the application.

A generator that is too small for the water volume or treatment requirements may not provide the results you expect, even when it is working correctly.

Before replacing your generator, consider:

• How much water are you treating?
• What ozone output does your application require?
• What type of feed gas are you using?
• How long does the generator run each day?
• How is the ozone being injected into the water?
• Is the water flow correct for the injector?
• Is there excessive back pressure?

These questions can help determine whether you have a generator problem or a system problem.

Need Help Choosing the Right Ozone Generator?

If you have checked your ozone system and still are not getting the output you expect, A2Z Ozone can help you look at the application and determine what may be needed.

We offer ozone generators for a wide range of water treatment and other applications.

Before replacing your ozone generator, contact A2Z Ozone. We can help you look at factors such as water volume, application, ozone output, injection method, and system setup so you can choose the right equipment for your needs.

The goal is not simply to install a larger ozone generator. The goal is to have an ozone system that is properly matched to the application and working as it should.