FAQ

1. What is ozone?
2. How does ozone clean linen?
3. Does the Aquawing System really kill Super bugs on every wash?
4. What are super bugs?
5. Can you prove the bug kill?
6. How difficult is the system for my employees to operate?
7. What will this do to my waste water?
8. Will the Aquawing Equipment damage my present laundry equipment?
9. Will my laundry be out of service during installation?
10. Who will take care of the equipment after installation?
11. Do I still need traditional chemicals?
12. What happens to my chemical vendor?
13. Is ozone dangerous?
14. How can you prove laundry cost reductions?
15. How does ozone's cold water washing achieve the level of disinfection required for healthcare laundries?
16. What is Off Gas?
17. Why do you have to monitor the ambient air?
18. Is having a single generator per washing machine like Aquawing better than using one generator for multiple machines?

1. What is ozone?

Ozone (O3) results from a high electrical voltage or ultraviolet light being passed through oxygen (O2) molecules. It's the addition of the third oxygen atom in ozone that produces a powerful cleaning agent.

The most effective way to create ozone for laundry applications is to use corona discharge, a method that passes dried, oxygen-containing gas through an electrical field. The electrical current causes the oxygen molecules to split. Corona discharge is more effective than using ultraviolet light because ultraviolet light is incapable of producing ozone in sufficient quantities to overcome the oxidation demand of the soiled linen and can leave residuals like the super bug, MRSA.

During a wash cycle, that third oxygen atom attaches to and breaks down organic materials like soils, bacteria, molds and greases. Once broken down, these materials are easily removed from fabric by detergent in the wash cycle. Ozone works best in cold water and can drastically reduce a laundry's need for hot water—cutting the workload and gas/electric/oil consumption of water heaters while conserving water. Since ozone leaves only oxygen behind, it' also environmentally friendly.
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2. How does ozone clean linen?

Ozone is a powerful oxidizer and as such it attacks soils, bacteria and viruses and breaks them down. Furthermore ozone relaxes the weave of fabrics allowing chemicals and wash action to be more effective.
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3. Does the Aquawing System really kill Super bugs on every wash?

Absolutely. Aquawing's patented Aquawing technology kills bacteria on the step of every wash. According to two separate independent microbiologists, the Aquawing System kills greater than 99.999% of the spore forming super bugs not killed by traditional wash processes.
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4. What are super bugs?

Super bugs are dangerous bacteria* that are not killed by traditional wash processes. *Dangerous bacteria such as MRSA (staph), C. DIFF, and ASPERGILLUS NIGER and many more.
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5. Can you prove the bug kill?

Yes. We have an organized book full of all testing procedures, lab results and summaries of those results for our customers.
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6. How difficult is the system for my employees to operate?

Simple. Adding the Aquawing System to your current laundry will not require any special training.
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7. What will this do to my waste water?

The Aquawing System actually Improves sewage quality (30 - 50%) The oxidizing power of ozone in the wash wheel aids the breaking down of soils, bacteria and other microorganisms. Also, by decreasing the chemicals rinsed down the drain, ozone is an effective waste-water treatment chemical.
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8. Will the Aquawing Equipment damage my present laundry equipment?

No. Aquawing ensures the integrity of your present equipment. This system is the only system on the market equipped with patented variable ozone technology. This technology automatically regulates ozone levels in the wash wheel and maintains a safe level for all components of your washing machines including the seals. Because of this technology we have written verification from major manufacturers that the Aquawing system will not harm the equipment or void warranties.
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9. Will my laundry be out of service during installation?

The system has a foot print of 22 1/4" by 25 1/2" with no special hookups, no electrical requirements and no elaborate plumbing. Install time is very minimal and there is virtually no downtime. It can also be installed on the wall.
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10. Who will take care of the equipment after installation?

We have the most extensive network of local distributors of any ozone laundry company. This network is trained and knowledgeable about all aspects of the Aquawing System and will be able to meet all of your needs.
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11. Do I still need traditional chemicals?

Yes. The Aquawing System can potentially reduce chemistry usage, but does not eliminate the need entirely.
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12. What happens to my chemical vendor?

We team with any chemical vendor. We help the vendor to adapt the chemistry formulas to obtain maximum results.
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13. Is ozone dangerous?

Ozone, as a disinfectant, is safer than the common chemical Chlorine. The Aquawing System has been tested and surpasses all OSHA safety standards. Along with this the Aquawing System comes with a standard room sensor which monitors the ozone level within the wash room. This monitor will shut down the system if recommended levels are exceeded and laundry equipment will remain fully functional. The Aquawing System also comes with the patented variable ozone, which monitors the levels of ozone at each washing machine. For more information, please refer to the safety page.
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14. How can you prove laundry cost reductions?

The Aquawing system comes with optional water meters, so a customer can track their own progress. For customers interested in measuring other savings, such as labor, linen replacement and reduced drying time, Aquawing can help customers with calculators that we have developed to track savings after installation.
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15. How does ozone's cold water washing achieve the level of disinfection required for healthcare laundries?

Ozone is an extremely powerful oxidant that works 3,000 times faster and is 150% more effective than chlorine. However, it is important to note that not all ozone laundry systems are validated to kill the necessary microbes. The Aquawing AF Series System is the only system that has Clinical Validation on microbial kill. For more information on bacterial kill please see the disinfection tab.

While chorine bleach can only be utilized in one step of the wash cycle, ozone's oxidation power is utilized whenever water is present in the basket. It is also a powerful and natural biocide - destroying bacterium, deactivating viruses and controlling odors.
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16. What is Off Gas?

When unused ozone is leaked into a laundry room, it is called off-gassing. It is important for every ozone laundry system to have a standard monitoring device that measures the levels of ozone in the ambient air.
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17. Why do you have to monitor the ambient air?
• All ozone units should be equipped with a standard air monitoring device. Not monitoring the breathable air is irresponsible. The fact is that any ozone unit has the potential (however unlikely) of pushing ozone into the work environment.
• Ozone is very safe to work under when it is properly managed. The ambient air device used on the Aquawing system is a standard safety device.
• The Aqua-fusion system has been validated to not only meet, but exceed the safety standards set forth by OSHA.
• The responsibility of laundry room workers' safety belongs to the facility and an air monitoring device is a measure to aid in that responsibility. For more information ozone safety, please see the safety page of this site.

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18. Is having a single generator per washing machine like Aquawing better than using one generator for multiple machines?
• It is much better to have more than one generator for a few reasons: The first reason is that when a washer calls for ozone, operators know that it's getting the exact amount of ozone originally intended. If two washers are calling for ozone from the same generator, then, logically, each washer receives half the originally intended ozone. The first washer gets the ozone and the second gets whatever is left. This design illustrates a distinct misunderstanding of ozone washing. The amount of ozone going into each machine must be consistent in order to receive results. This is basic wash chemistry.
• This inconsistency will result in an unpredictable wash quality and will affect the disinfection capabilities of the ozone gas well. A model with a single generator used for more than one washer illustrates a lack of ozone laundry experience. Ozone levels must be consistent for each washer. The ozone levels in washers with the Aquawing system are constantly and automatically measured and adjusted according to the demand of each load with the patented variable ozone system.
• Also, having a dedicated generator per washing machine allows for a lack of downtime should there be a service issue with a generator. If you have one generator for two washers, then both washers are without ozone should the generator need servicing.
• Will having extra generators increase my utilities? Each Aquawing generators uses only 100 watts of energy (same as a light bulb). This will not be noticeable on utility bills. Furthermore, each generator is only drawing 100 watts when the washing machines require ozone, not all day, everyday. A generator for two washers typically uses 200 watts.

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