Across all sectors, personal and organizational, fogging is a necessary additional sterilization and disinfectant method that gets into smaller, more confined spaces. Fogging is a widely used sterilization technique where sanitizing products are mixed with water and are effused as a fog. There are two main types of devices used for fogging, ULV (Ultra low volume) foggers, also known as ‘cold’ foggers, and the other being thermal foggers. While you can use either to get the job done, understanding what the difference is between cold fogging and thermal fogging is, allows you to make a more informed decision on what type of fogging device you will need for your sterilization needs.
So, what is the difference between cold fogging and thermal fogging? The answer isn’t just simply in the name, but rather the device and technique used. Thermal foggers transform liquid solutions into water droplets using heat. Once the solution has been pumped into the heat bottle, it vaporizes the liquid to produce the fog that is then used to disinfect areas. The fog that thermal fogging produces is very dense and therefore more visible. Thermal fogging produces more cloud-like fog as opposed to cold fogging. Because it uses a heating system, thermal fogging devices require a technician to exercise caution and safety. The difference between cold fogging and thermal fogging is then that heat is not used in the process. The high pressure and swirling airflow of the cold fogger turns the fogging solution into air-born particles that resembles mist rather than cloud-like fog. This means that cold fog will come out of the nozzle as opposed to the thermal fogger, which produces a warmer fog. In this case, a cold fogger uses the air pressure to spray the liquid out in the small particles which then makes it a lot easier to get into the small crevices and narrow spaces which allows for precise and thorough cleaning. Cold fogging is not only safer, but also generally easier to use and does not require an operator once it’s been turned on.
Both cold and thermal fogging have amazing benefits. Thermal fogging is easier to monitor the direction of the fog. Because the fog is so visible, it gives you peace of mind knowing that you can see where it’s being aimed and if it’s hitting the intended target. Thermal foggers release higher density of droplets making them the perfect application for things such as insect control. The thermal fogger is also environmentally friendly and allows both oil-based and water-based solutions to be used. Ultra- low volume foggers, or ‘cold’ foggers, are perfect in that they use less fuel and fogging solution which can cut the cost significantly. These foggers can also use electricity or be battery powered, further making it cost-effective. Cold foggers are both a no- fire and no-burn risk to its operators as they do not use heat. While cold foggers can also use oil-based solutions, it does not leave behind any hard to clean oily residue. Cold foggers carry no odour in most cases which makes them more pleasant to use.
When understanding the difference between cold fogging and thermal fogging, it is important to note that both have their disadvantages, too. Because they use a heating system, thermal foggers will in most cases require some sort of fuel to operate. This means that they need to be refilled and only last as long as the fuel is being supplied. There is also an elevated caution that needs to be taken with thermal foggers, as they can get very hot. Because of the fog density, if an oil-based solution is used when thermal fogging there can be an oily residue left behind after the fogging process has taken place. This can be tedious to clean making it a more labour-intensive process. Cold fogging produces a very fine and sometimes almost invisible mist that can make directional fogging difficult as it may be harder to assess that the areas you are trying to fog have been done so efficiently. The fog can then drift away from its targeted area which can easily be difficult to detect. Cold foggers can also be difficult to maintain and repair as they require more technical skill. Their complex systems will need to be both calibrated and repaired by a trained professional should they need repairing. Cold foggers also operate at a lower speed than what thermal foggers do, making the fogging process slower.
Now that the difference between cold fogging and thermal fogging has been identified, it certainly makes it easier to decide what type works best for your needs. At the end of the day whether you choose cold or thermal fogging, it is always important to note that it is highly recommended and makes for an exceptional added safety measure in any situation.
