Air conditioning has become an integral part of the daily lives of most people. It is used at home, in offices, shopping centers - almost everywhere. With its help you can easily and quickly both cool and heat a room. But with huge demand, most consumers do not really know about all its capabilities. No fewer people have little understanding of the symbols of the buttons on the air conditioner remote control. This article will help you understand this issue.
Types and features
Air conditioner remote controls are divided into:
- infrared;
- wired.
Infrared remote controls are those that transmit a signal through radiation. This system is used in wall-mounted split systems, cassette, ceiling air conditioners, as well as in some models of window air conditioners. Infrared remote controls are convenient to use, but their range is limited to 8 meters, and it must be taken into account that after 5 meters malfunctions may occur due to bright lighting. This type of control is not suitable for systems installed above the recommended values, as well as for those models whose internal units are hidden behind suspended ceilings or plasterboard structures.
Infrared remote controls have a self-diagnosis system, so during a failure, the indicator lights on the internal unit of the split system begin to flash, thanks to which the service department will need less time for diagnostics and repairs.
Wired ones control the air conditioner at any distance. If there is a malfunction, an error code is displayed on the display, which makes diagnostics even easier than with an infrared remote control. The wired type of control allows you to control the operation of 4-8 air conditioners. Some models also include a temperature sensor to help ensure optimal performance.
NEAT
Regardless of the manufacturer of the split system, you can highlight the main symbols on the air conditioner remote control.
NEAT - heating, temperature up to 30 degrees. This mode is used to heat indoor air. It is marked on the air conditioner control panel in the form of a sun. The program automatically adjusts the temperature to the set temperature as soon as it starts to drop. It is important to know that each device has its own limitations when used in cold weather. Operational restrictions can range from -5 to -15 degrees depending on the technical characteristics of the air conditioner. Do not neglect the rules for operating the device to avoid breakdowns. When choosing an air conditioner, it is important to know the conditions under which it can be used. There are models that have no restrictions.
COOL
This mode cools the room in hot weather to 16-18 degrees. This function is considered the main one and is present in any air conditioner. It is marked on the air conditioner remote control in the form of a snowflake. Cooling occurs thanks to the filled refrigerant, which slowly takes heat from the room due to gas formation and releases warm air to the street. The power of the air conditioner should be selected at the rate of one kilowatt per 8-10 square meters, under such conditions the device will work most optimally. When using the cool mode, the most favorable temperature is 16-18 degrees; if this is not enough, you can turn on the fan.
DRI
The dehumidification function is designed to change the set temperature by several degrees for active removal in the room. This mode is identical to COOL, but at very low fan speeds of the indoor unit of the split system. Combining the function with room cooling means providing more comfortable air. The DRI mode helps to quickly dry the space and get rid of high humidity, make it easier to tolerate heat and stop the development of mold. Some air conditioner models have special sensors that automatically turn on this function if there is a deviation from the norm. For example, there is this designation on the Gree air conditioner remote control. In this mode, humidity levels cannot be programmed and maintained.
Air dehumidification occurs in this way:
- The fan is active for the first 10 minutes.
- The next 5 minutes are on pause.
- Then intensive ventilation is carried out for 2 minutes.
This mode should not be used near open sources of moisture, such as a swimming pool. In this case, other drying methods should be used.
FAN
The function is similar to a fan; it is used to change the blowing speed of the air conditioner. In this mode, cooling and heating equipment does not function, but only air is taken from the street. Suitable for houses with central heating. In some models, you can only turn on the ventilation of the room without taking air from the street. Manufacturers most often provide customers with a choice of 3 rotation speeds, and the mode independently selects the most suitable blowing speed.
AUTO
The function maintains a room temperature of 22-24 degrees, as it is considered the most comfortable for humans. The set value is adjusted every half hour. In this mode, temperature indicators are not displayed on the control panel display.
TURBO
A mode in which air flows at high speed throughout the room. If it is possible to turn off the air intake from the street, you can quickly mix the layers of air. This way the room temperature will be the same.
SLEEP
The mode is used during sleep to create favorable conditions. In this mode, the temperature changes over 6-8 hours, gradually increasing or decreasing the air temperature by 1 degree in order not to overcool or overheat a sleeping person. If the air conditioner works for heating, then the temperature increases, if for cooling, it drops.
SWING
Using this mode, you can fix or change the position of the split system blinds. Thanks to this mode, the air is distributed evenly throughout the room. Some remote controls display the movement of the blinds.
AUTORESTART
This mode is not indicated on the control panel, but its presence is very important. This program is triggered in the event of an unexpected power outage, automatically resuming the operation of the air conditioner in the specified mode when electricity appears again.
Standard modes
The main functions of an air conditioner are: dehumidification, cooling and heating of indoor air. The modes and their designation on the air conditioner remote control should be studied in advance in order to know the technical capabilities of the equipment. Cooling occurs due to the transition of the liquid state of the refrigerant into the gaseous state, which is carried out due to the intake of warm air from the room, and when heating the process occurs in the opposite way.
Each air conditioner has basic modes and additional ones, which directly depend on the manufacturer and model of the device. Designation of icons on the air conditioner remote control:
- Cool - cooling, looks like a snowflake.
- Heat - heating, indicated on the air conditioner remote control with a sun.
- Dry - drying, image of a drop.
- Fan - a fan with a corresponding design.
- Sleep - night mode, star image.
- Lock - child protection.
- Led - display backlight for working in the dark.
Special abilities
Some manufacturers, in pursuit of consumers, are trying to improve air conditioners with additional options. Some of them become very useful after use. So, special features include:
- Comfort setting - can turn on the air conditioner to calculate the optimal mode. As a rule, in this mode, 20 degrees is considered optimal for heating, 25 degrees for cooling the room.
- Air purification - occurs thanks to built-in filters of varying degrees of purification. It can be coarse - it helps to remove large particles of dirt, and fine - it can even cope with flower pollen. In addition, the air conditioner can be equipped with filters that absorb odors. Street dust settles on the filters, and the air in the room always remains fresh. This designation can be found on the Samsung air conditioner remote control.
- 3D flow - directs vertically. The consumer uses this function when he is afraid of catching a cold. It will be marked lfeel on the air conditioner remote control.
- Ionization - saturates the room with ions with negative charges. The option is intended to improve a person’s immunity and well-being. Reviews from some consumers say that during ionization a feeling of breeze appears. There is this designation on the LG, Mitsubishi air conditioner remote control in some models
- Filtration and air purification - this function is not available in all air conditioner models; it is carried out using step filters. It helps clean the air from dust, dirt and various microorganisms, and also helps get rid of unpleasant odors. This function is indispensable for people prone to allergies and pet owners.
- Defrosting the heat exchanger - maintains the performance of the air conditioner for a long time. In this mode, during cooling, the load on the refrigerant during cold collection is reduced.
The set of additional functions directly depends on the manufacturer and model of the split system. The symbols on the Mitsubishi air conditioner remote control will differ from the same meanings from other manufacturers. Before purchasing a unit, you need to consult with the seller or familiarize yourself with the options using the instructions included in the kit.
So, each air conditioner is equipped with the following functions: dehumidification, heating and cooling of air. In addition, each manufacturer tries to surprise the consumer and diversify the capabilities of the device. Therefore, when choosing an air conditioner, it is important to study the set of functions of the model you like.
And now it has come, that happy day when you got an air conditioner installed. All you have to do is turn it on, and the device will surround you with its coolness. But don't think that using an air conditioner is easy.
Operating Basics
We approach this matter with all responsibility, and the first thing we do after installing the device is study the operating instructions. Each air conditioner needs its own manual, and the LG brand will never fit the instructions from Ballu.
User Guide
In this small book you can find all the information you need: how to turn the device on and off, how to set the desired operating mode, how to properly care for your new assistant in the house.
Turn the device on and off using the remote control or without
In order to operate the device, manufacturers strongly recommend using only the remote control. As for window air conditioners, it all depends on the model and location in the window. If the device is located at the bottom of the window, you can control it using the buttons on the panel. Is the block assigned a place at the top of the frame? Then to configure its operation you need a remote control.
Attention! You cannot turn the air conditioner on/off by inserting/unplugging the plug from the socket.
On the remote control we find the power button, it is designated “On/Off”, after pressing which the device will start or stop working. But there are situations when the remote control is broken, lost, or the battery is dead and there is no spare. Then we find a control panel on our air conditioner, almost always hidden from view. It is located on the indoor unit under the curtains. There is always a button for such an emergency activation; it is often illuminated in green or red. Depending on the manufacturer, it may be designated as “on/off” or “operation”. You need to press on it and hold it in this state for a few seconds, after which the air conditioner will turn on with a characteristic sound and begin to cool the room. If you need to set the device to heating mode, press the power button again. To complete the work, we proceed in the same order - press and hold for a couple of seconds. This completes the functionality of the control panel; changes can only be made using the remote control.
We set the operating mode of the air conditioner (heating/cooling). Explanation of icons
You can set the air conditioner to the desired operating mode, of which there are quite a few, using the control panel. For example, for heating the algorithm is as follows:
- Find the button on the remote control labeled “HEAT” and press it.
- If there is no such inscription, then we find the “MODE” icon; using it, the modes indicated by a snowflake, sun, fan and droplet are switched. We scroll through until we find what we are looking for - the sun, because we need heating.
- You can set the desired temperature using the “+” and “–” buttons.
- The device will not start heating the air immediately, it should take about 5–10 minutes.
The cooling temperature can be adjusted in the same way.
Controlling the air conditioner using the remote control In addition to the buttons described, there are many others on the remote control. For some, even after several years of operation, they remain a mystery, but we will decipher them now.
- HEAT (or “sun” icon) – heating mode,
- COOL (or snowflake icon) – cooling mode,
- DRY (or “drop” icon) is an air dehumidification mode when the air conditioner removes excess moisture from the room.
- FAN (or “fan” icon) is a ventilation mode that determines the blowing speed. An air conditioner distributes air throughout a room without heating or cooling it.
- TURBO - enhanced fan operation mode,
- SLEEP (or “star” icon) is a sleep mode during which the fan begins to rotate more slowly, which ensures the absence of noise. The device also regulates the temperature itself, making it comfortable for sleeping.
- SWING - using this button you can change the direction of the curtains,
- TIMER (or “clock” icon) – a timer that allows you to set the temperature parameters in advance and configure the unit to turn on/off independently.
- CLOCK - time setting,
- LOCK - lock the remote control,
- LED - remote control backlight.
Operating conditions: at what temperatures does it work, how to prepare for winter
Almost all modern air conditioners are capable of not only cooling the air in the room, but also operating in heating mode, which is very convenient between seasons when the heating is turned off. However, there are certain conditions under which the device can operate.
So, the temperature outside should not be higher than +40°C and lower than -10°C. Experts insist that it is impossible to use air conditioners in winter at all, since the oil that is added to the refrigerant thickens. The consequence of this may be premature wear of parts, including the compressor.
But there are some device models that can operate even at a temperature of -25°C (outdoors). These are the Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin brands. How do you know if your air conditioner can work in winter? To do this, you need to carefully study the manual, and especially pay attention to the operating temperature range. The maximum numbers at which the device can be turned on will be indicated there.
The operating temperature of inverter air conditioners in the “cooling” mode is from -10 to +45, in the “heating” mode - from -15 to +24. Non-inverter units will operate for “cooling” - from +21 to +43, for “heating” - from -5 to +24. As for window models, the permissible temperature for “cooling” is from +18 to +45, “heating” is from -3 to +24 (outdoor temperature is indicated). It is recommended to turn on the “drying” mode at temperatures from +11 to + 43.
What other problems may arise when using the air conditioner in heating mode at temperatures below 0°C? This is glaciation of the outer block. This occurs due to the release of condensation, which begins to freeze directly on the device outside. If, at similar low temperatures, you turn on the device for cooling, then you can expect a decrease in the performance of the device, complete freezing of the external part and breakdown of the compressor.
Icing of the external block of the split system Experts also advise that in hot weather, set the cooling mode within 21–23°C. This will help protect the compressor and your health due to the small temperature difference between indoors and outdoors.
Prevention and Maintenance
Air conditioner maintenance involves regular cleaning of the indoor and outdoor units, disinfection and refilling/refilling with refrigerant if necessary. Experts advise doing this at least once a year.
In addition, a preventive inspection is carried out in order to notice malfunctions in time, replace parts, lubricate the mechanism, check the equipment for leaks, and more. You can read more about this in the article “Do-it-yourself air conditioner maintenance.”
If the device is not planned to be used in winter, then it needs to be “mothballed” and prepared for cold weather:
- Turn on the air conditioner to the “Ventilation” mode and leave it running for at least 2 hours. This will remove all moisture from the radiator.
- We clean all filters.
- We close the external unit of the device tightly with waterproof material.
For window air conditioners, it will be enough to cover the part located on the street with film or other material designed to shelter things from external influences. But sometimes, even after the manipulations have been done, cold air still enters the room through the device, then the unit is removed for the winter.
Do you plan to operate a split system in winter? In this case, we purchase an additional “winter kit”. It consists of three important elements: a fan speed controller, drain tube heaters and a compressor. They prevent the blocks and the system from freezing, and also regulate the pressure in it. But it’s worth warning - under these conditions the device will only operate in cooling mode! This is true in stores and catering establishments.
Split system service life
Air conditioning in the house How long a split system will last depends not on luck, but on certain factors. The average lifespan is 5–10 years, but this may vary due to:
- Quality and reliability of the air conditioner. Of course, an ultra-high reliability device from the MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC brand (made in Japan) will last much longer than a device from the Delonghi brand (China).
- Installation quality. In the summer season, when the issue of cooling is very pressing, many fly-by-night companies open, offering inexpensive installation of air conditioning. Very often it turns out that the installation was carried out poorly, and this leads to premature failure of the device itself.
- Operating conditions. If your air conditioner is running at full capacity 24/7, this can shorten its lifespan.
- High-quality and timely service. Regular cleaning of the device and replacement of the refrigerant will extend the life of the device.
If you follow the basics of operation, the air conditioner will definitely meet the owner’s expectations and will work flawlessly throughout its entire service life.
When choosing an air conditioner for your home, we most often pay attention to its energy consumption and basic capabilities. Other functions of the air conditioner, such as ventilation, air dehumidification, air filtration and disinfection, remain beyond our attention. But manufacturers are making more and more efforts to introduce new developments and useful engineering ideas into their devices that can make our lives much more comfortable.
Let's look at the main operating modes of air conditioners and the opportunities they provide to users.
Cooling and heating
Cooling has always been and remains the main purpose of any air conditioner. It occurs through the use of a physical process in which the refrigerant, passing from a liquid to a gaseous state, absorbs heat from the environment. This leads to cooling of the air flow entering the room (accompanied by a drying effect due to the removal of moisture from the air). It is necessary to calculate the power of an air conditioner for cooling as follows: for every 8-10 square meters of area, 1 kW of power is required for normal operation of the device.
The “warm” version of the air conditioner (with the heat pump function) allows you to produce 300-400% more heat compared to the electricity consumed for this. In this regard, its use in the spring-autumn period is energetically feasible, and the modes justify their presence.
However, in winter, when the temperature drops significantly below zero, compressor oil and freon in air conditioners change their properties. This may lead to rapid failure of the device due to operation in unsuitable conditions. The solution to the problem is the use of a special “winter kit” (which serves for additional heating of the entire system), which allows you to expand the range of “operating” temperatures to -30 C. However, in addition to converting the air conditioner into a heater, you will receive a device that shamelessly “eats” electricity (from - for low efficiency) and your money.
There is a separate class of air conditioners equipped with a heating element. They also use a lot of electricity and are not cost effective (compared to other types of heaters).
Ventilation
This air conditioner mode (fan) uses only the fan in the indoor unit, which draws in air from outside without heating or cooling it. The use of this function is especially important if the room is heated using a central heating system.
It is possible to turn off the supply of outdoor air, turning the air conditioner into a “mixer” of air masses in the room, where the lower and upper layers are heated with different intensities (warm air collects closer to the ceiling, and colder air below).
More technically advanced models have the ability to adjust the fan speed, so you can set different ventilation intensities.
Dry mode
This mode is suitable for over-humidified rooms; it uses a physical phenomenon in which moisture from warm air falls on a cold surface (condensation). The process of air drying also occurs during normal cooling, but not so intensely.
In addition, when the “dry” mode is activated, the room temperature practically does not change, and the compressor turns on only when it deviates 1 degree above normal (or half a degree below). The drying time lasts 10 minutes, after which there is a pause of 5.5 minutes and a two-minute activation of the normal ventilation mode. Upon completion of all stages, the cycle provided by the “dry” program is repeated again.
Automatic mode selection
This function allows the air conditioner to independently select the most optimal operating modes. The device’s automation itself determines how the user’s instructions can be achieved in the best possible way (this is achieved by combining ventilation, heating or cooling modes, replacing each other as needed). The system can independently start the air drying process if this helps achieve the required temperature.
Comfortable sleep function
Activating this mode reduces the fan speed in the external unit to a minimum, due to which the device becomes silent and does not interfere with sleep. In addition, the air conditioner begins to closely monitor the temperature and gradually increases or decreases it if necessary (if it deviates from the specified “comfort” zone).
The “sleep” mode allows you to significantly save energy: the device will stop working after a specified period of time.
Timer
With this function, the air conditioner will be able to adjust the temperature in advance, before your arrival, or stop working after a certain period of time (specified using the remote control).
“Defrosting” the heat exchanger
During operation of the device, the electronics of the split system constantly measures the temperature of the refrigerant contained in the circuit of the outdoor unit. When the air conditioner uses heating mode, the refrigerant accumulates cold (“removed” from the air in the room), which inevitably leads to its freezing.
When the sensors detect a drop in the temperature of the outdoor unit circuit below -6 degrees, the first defrost starts. It usually takes 10 to 12 minutes to complete, after which the heating of the circuit stops and the refrigerant again acquires the ability to accumulate cold.
The presence of such a function will be useful when operating air conditioners in the cold season.
Air purification and filtration
Modern air conditioners are equipped with multi-stage filters that can prevent both large dust particles and harmful microorganisms that are invisible to the eye from entering the room. The filter system has three levels of purification. The first is represented by a fine metal grill (for rough air purification), the second is an electrostatic filter that “attracts” microbes and plant pollen. The final cleaning step removes tobacco smoke particles and other sources of unpleasant odors from the stream.
Panasonic has developed a special catechin filter that can not only absorb dust, smoke particles and pollen, but also deactivate bacteria and viruses that fall on it. Catechin disrupts the ability of viruses to attach to healthy cells in the body by coating microscopic “spikes” on the surface of harmful agents.
A modern air conditioner can do more than just cool the air in a room. It also has a lot of functions that make it a multifunctional device, and not a simple household appliance that can only supply cool air. In particular, we are now talking about the Heat and Dry functions.
Heat function in air conditioner
It is appropriate when the room is cold. By turning on Heat, the user activates the heating mode, and if the room temperature drops below the user-set temperature, the air conditioner starts heating the air. But there is one important point here: the technical characteristics of the air conditioner always indicate the minimum value of the air temperature outside, at which it is permissible to turn on the air conditioner at all. Most models can work as long as it is -5 C outside the window, and if the device is activated at a temperature of -10 C, for example, then there is a high probability of it breaking.
Some expensive air conditioners (for example, Mitsubishi) can operate at lower temperatures, so if the main goal is to heat the room in winter, then you need to look at models that can operate at -20 C.
Also, air conditioners (including inexpensive ones) can be equipped with a special winter kit, thanks to which the device can also operate for heating in winter.
Dry function
Everything is much simpler here. Dry involves dehumidifying the air in the room. If you feel a lot of moisture in the room, then just activate this mode. The air conditioner will begin to draw in humid air, extract moisture from it and turn it into condensation on the heat exchanger. Excess moisture is then removed through the water drainage tube.
This is the simple operation of these functions; we will also look at the rest in detail, but a little later.
Please rate the article:
Air conditioners have become indispensable household appliances designed to maintain human comfort. But due to the many different buttons, sometimes, especially for beginners, it is difficult to select and find the appropriate air conditioner mode.
Using this device is not as difficult as it might seem at the very beginning. As a rule, the buttons and their designations are the same on all remote controls, and if you learn and remember them, you can easily use different models in the future.
The remote control is a candy bar with control buttons and a display that shows the selected mode. At the very end there is a special LED with infrared rays. Thanks to this diode, when directing the device to an air conditioning device, it is possible to remotely control household appliances. When you constantly press the button with your finger, the signal is sent to the air conditioner all the time, and the battery charge is wasted. But in the quiet state of the remote control, the battery is not active, which helps to economically consume electrical energy.
Remote control with a classic set of buttons
Symbols on the air conditioner remote control
Let's look at the main symbols on the control device:
- The dry function, located in the air conditioner, dehumidifies the air in the apartment. This button is very helpful during rainy periods, in the fall or spring before turning on the heating, when the humidity in the room is high.
- The TRV button means the operation of the thermostatic valve. In other words, using this function you can adjust the cooling operation.
- The fan icon means adjusting the fan speed or air flow intensity mode. By pressing this button again, you can change the operating speed to the required one.
- The heat function on any air conditioner literally translates as heating. You can turn on the heating of the room thanks to warm air flows. The heat heating mode is indicated by a schematic drawing of the sun on the air conditioner.
- The dehumidification mode is the same as the dry mode in the air conditioner, only it is called differently and has a designation in the form of a drop.
- The cool button performs the opposite function of heating. Thanks to this button, you can turn on the room cooling mode. This is especially good on hot summer days, when the heat makes staying in a city apartment unbearable. This button is indicated by a snowflake.
- The TURBO function means increased airflow. By turning it on, you can force the fan to supply increased air flow at high speed. Thus, the room is artificially ventilated without opening windows. And it will take much less time.
TURBO button
- The Swing function helps the air to be distributed evenly throughout the apartment. This happens thanks to the special movement of the dampers.
- Ifeel mode is designed to determine an individual comfortable temperature. Due to the fact that users often do not know what temperature in the room will be most comfortable for them, there is a thoughtless waste of electricity. And in this case, the I feel digger comes to the rescue. The technology is highly accurate: if for some reason the temperature in the apartment is below the required degree, the household appliance set to this mode begins to warm the air, automatically turning on the heat mode. And, conversely, when the temperature rises, the device immediately turns on air cooling. Thanks to this function, the room temperature will be maintained as comfortable as possible for your stay.
- Hi or H1 - the designation of these characters appears on the screen during failures as an error. When these combinations appear on the display, you should know that for some reason the device has entered the defrost mode. In order to eliminate the error, simply turn off the remote control, wait a while and turn it on again. After this, you can set the desired mode.
- Pre def is also an error code that is often found in the operation of air conditioners. It means that contact with the temperature sensor is temporarily lost. This happens due to various failures in the electronic system or problems with electricity. In order to restore the operation of the device, you just need to wait until contact with the temperature sensor is restored.
- On timer / Off timer – setting will help set the device to automatic mode. It can be configured to turn off or turn on the desired mode at a specific specified time. This function is very convenient at night or when the owners of the apartment are away.
On/off timer button
- Buttons for turning on and off a household appliance are necessary in order to turn the equipment on or off if necessary.
- The cancel or CANCEL button helps the user to cancel a mode set by mistake.
- Using the CLOCK button, you can set the time, which is very convenient for automatic mode, on/off timer, and simply using this device as a clock.
- The LOCK function helps you lock all buttons on the remote control. This function helps out when there are children or pets in the family, and they can accidentally press and thereby reset all settings.
- If the remote control has a backlight function, the LED button may be useful. It is needed for automatic backlighting of the remote control. Helps well in the dark.
What to do if the air conditioner does not follow the remote control commands
If the device does not respond to the remote control, you should:
- make sure that the power supply system is working;
- check the integrity of the case, screen, buttons;
- make sure that the remote control emits infrared rays by taking a photograph, otherwise you will need to purchase a new remote control;
- check the electrical network in the room to eliminate the cause of power fluctuations;
- check the batteries for functionality.
To ensure that the remote control is not lost and is not subject to mechanical stress, shock, or pressure, you must purchase a special mount for it. It must be installed in a place that is accessible for use, handy and convenient.
The air conditioner remote control is an important component of this household electrical appliance. Without it, the air conditioner can only be started in automatic mode. But if for some reason the remote control is lost or broken and cannot be restored, you can purchase a universal one, suitable for all models and manufacturers.
Universal air conditioner remote control
An inverter air conditioner is a device whose operation is independently controlled by a compressor. When the maximum temperature is reached, such an air conditioner does not turn off, but reduces the degrees to maintain a constant comfortable temperature.
If you take a little time and understand the symbols of the buttons on the air conditioner remote control, you will find that using this device is not so difficult. Moreover, only a few main buttons stand out, the rest are used quite rarely.