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Support Center / Maintenance & Cleaning / What is ozone sanitation, and is the light humming noise from my tub normal?

What is ozone sanitation, and is the light humming noise from my tub normal?

Updated September 2026

Ozone sanitation is a built-in hygiene feature on Ella jetted walk-in tubs, and the light humming noise it makes is completely normal. Whenever you run the hydro massage, an ozone generator releases natural ozone into the water system to eliminate mold and bacteria and to prevent mildew and odor from developing. It runs completely automatically, starts and stops with the hydro pump, and the only sign you may notice is a soft hum. It is eco friendly, uses very little power, and requires nothing from you.

Watch: Ozone Sterilization in Action

As the video says, ozone is a proven water disinfectant. It eliminates mold and bacteria from the water system and prevents mildew and odor from developing in your tub. Every time you turn your Ella walk-in tub's hydro massage on, rest assured it is being sanitized.

How It Works

  • The ozone generator is wired to the hydro massage pump, so ozone sterilization activates automatically whenever the hydrotherapy jets run, and it runs for as long as the hydro jets are on.
  • It draws only 0.04 amps, so it adds essentially nothing to your electric bill.
  • Any Ella tub with hydro jets includes ozone sanitation, including the wheelchair transfer models. Air-only and soaking configurations do not have a hydro pump, so they do not carry an ozone generator.
MicroZone ozone generator unit with power cord for Ella walk-in tub water sanitation
The ozone generator lives under the deck and is wired in line with the hydro pump.

Is the Humming Noise Normal?

Yes. When the ozone system is on by itself it makes a light humming noise. If you hear a soft hum when nothing else seems to be running, that is simply the ozone generator doing its job, and it is completely normal. It starts and stops automatically with the hydro pump, so there is nothing to switch off. A faint hiss from the small check valve on top of the unit is air being drawn through the generator, which is also normal, and a slight clean scent after the jets run clears quickly with the bathroom fan.

Does Ozone Replace Cleaning?

Ozone is a wonderful helper, but it is not a fully self-cleaning feature. It sanitizes the water lines during use, while your monthly routine keeps the whole tub fresh:

  1. Once a month, fill the tub to 1 inch above the highest jets, add 2 cups of white vinegar mixed with 2 cups of water, run the pumps for 10 minutes, then drain.
  2. Once a month, clean the pump inlet cover of hair and debris and wipe it with a non-abrasive towel.
  3. Wipe the surfaces regularly with a non-abrasive cleaner from the approved list.

Tubs with air massage have a second helper, the Auto-Purge cycle, which blows the air lines dry about 20 minutes after the air pump is switched off.

Ella walk-in tub interior with the auto-purge cycle flushing the air jets
Ozone sanitizes the hydro lines; Auto-Purge clears the air lines. Neither replaces the monthly vinegar flush.

Can a Tub Be Ordered Without Ozone?

Our jetted walk-in tubs come equipped with ozone sterilization as a standard feature with the hydro package. Every Ella tub is made to order, so ozone can be excluded upon special request when you place your order through your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850. If you already own your tub and would prefer to run it without ozone, the disconnect guide shows the simple unplug procedure.

Ozone at a Glance

QuestionAnswer
When does it run?Automatically, whenever the hydro massage pump runs
Power draw0.04 amps
SoundA light humming noise, completely normal
What it doesEliminates mold and bacteria in the water system, prevents mildew and odor
What it does not doIt does not replace the monthly vinegar flush and surface cleaning
Which tubs have it?Tubs with hydro massage jets; it can be excluded by special request on a new order

Common Questions

Do I have to turn ozone on?
No, there is nothing for you to switch on or off. The ozone generator is wired in line with the hydro massage pump, so it starts automatically whenever the hydro jets run and stops the moment the pump stops. The only sign you may notice is a light humming noise, which is completely normal.
Does my tub have self-cleaning jets?
Every hydro package includes ozone sterilization, which eliminates mold and bacteria in the water system while the jets run, and every air package includes Auto-Purge, which blows the air lines dry about 20 minutes after the air pump is switched off. Together they keep the lines fresh between baths. They are helpers rather than a fully self-cleaning system, so the monthly vinegar flush, cleaning the pump inlet cover, and regular surface wipe downs remain part of ownership.
How long does the ozone cycle last?
The ozone cycle lasts exactly as long as the hydro jets are running, because the generator is wired in line with the hydro pump. There is no separate timer or setting to manage. When you switch the hydro massage off, the ozone generator switches off with it.
The unit hisses or I smell something sharp. Is that normal?
A faint hiss from the small check valve on top of the unit is simply air being drawn through the generator, and a slight clean scent after the jets run is normal and clears quickly with the bathroom fan. If the unit hums constantly while the tub is idle, or the smell is strong rather than faint, unplug that component and open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with your model and serial number. The team will check the unit with you.
Is ozone safe while I am in the tub?
Yes. The generator releases a small amount of ozone into the water lines only while the hydro jets are running, and the published documentation describes it as a safe, chemical-free sanitizer that eliminates mold and bacteria. It draws just 0.04 amps and needs nothing from you. If you notice the faint scent after a bath, running the bathroom fan clears it quickly.
Can I turn the ozone off but keep the hydro jets?
Yes, the hydro massage works normally without the ozone generator. Disconnecting the T connection and plugging the hydro pump directly into the control box removes ozone from the circuit without affecting the massage, as shown in the disconnect video. The disconnect guide linked in this article walks through that simple unplug procedure step by step.
My older tub does not seem to have ozone. Can it be added?
Ozone is fitted at the factory as part of the hydro package, so a tub ordered with hydro massage normally has a generator wired under the deck, and a soft hum while the jets run is the sign it is working. Whether a generator can be added to an existing tub depends on the model and control box. Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with your model and serial number, and the team will confirm what your tub has and advise on the options.

Still need help? Open a support ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and the team will be happy to walk you through it.

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