The remote control of an air conditioner enables you to activate or deactivate different functions without touching the unit. But despite its convenience, an air conditioner remote control has its problems.
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Air Conditioner Remote Control Symbols
All air conditioner remote controls have symbols and names that inform what they do. All you have to do is look under each button, and you will know what button to press for any function. The following are air conditioner remote control symbols and what they represent:
This symbol represents the Dry mode in your air conditioner. It is like a tear-drop, and the function works for reducing the humidity in the air, even when it is slightly cooling the room.
The symbol represents the Cool mode of operation, and you press the button when you need the room to get cool. It looks like a snowflake, and the function works best if you want to cool the room quickly. This symbol is one of the most recognized ones for air conditioner users.
As the symbol clearly shows, it represents a fan. It is the symbol for the Fan operating mode and works best if you want air circulation without cooling. You can save energy when using the mode, even though it means no cooling.
It is the Power symbol, and it is usually the first button to press when you want to turn on the air conditioner. In some air conditioners, it is a red button on the remote control while it is not on others. If you do not want to use the remote, you will find the same symbol on the air conditioner cabinet. Press it to turn on the air conditioner.
As the symbol indicates, it represents the Heat operating mode. The symbol looks like the sun when it is shining, and not all air conditioners have the heat function. It works best when the weather is cold; the air conditioner blows warm air into the room until it reaches a preset temperature.
This symbol represents Turbo Cooling, and it is a function that pushes the air conditioner to its full capacity to enable it to cool the room faster. Usually, the function turns off within thirty minutes, but the room must have considerably cooled by that time.
The signal bar in the increasing measure symbol represents the fan speed, and it shows the internal fan’s speed as you operate the air conditioner. The higher the signal bars go, the higher the fan speed.
Quiet, says the symbol. It represents the Quiet mode in your air conditioner and as the human is signaling silence, so is the air conditioner going to be quieter as it runs. It enables you to sleep or work better.
The symbol represents the vertical air swing of the air conditioner. It is a function that allows you to change the air swing and operate it in different directions: oscillating, static, and automatic.
It shows the direction of the air swing, going in a horizontal manner. The function means the airflow can go in the horizontal direction.
These symbols are the common ones you will see in most air conditioners, no matter the brand. However, specific models tend to have different symbols that may represent the same functions as listed here but are shown in different ways. The user manual for your air conditioner will inform you of what each symbol means and how to operate them.
Air Conditioner Remote Control Functions
Different air conditioner remote controls have varying symbols and functions. Some functions are common to all air conditioners, but each brand has distinguishing markers that set it apart from another. Therefore, we will look at the standard functions of remote controls and what they mean.
1. Mode
On any air conditioner remote control, you will find a Mode button. The button lets you select the operation mode to run your air conditioner. The following are the common modes of operation in an air conditioner:
i. Eco or Energy Saver Mode
This mode is one of the best ones you will find with any air conditioner. When you select this mode, the air conditioner runs for some time to cool the room. But the fan and compressor will run so that the unit will not consume much energy.
In other words, the air conditioner conserves energy. When it reaches a preset temperature, the air conditioner turns off and comes back on when the temperature rises again. The mode does not affect the cooling function in any way, and it saves energy.
ii. Cool Mode
The Cool mode is the most common mode of operation in any air conditioner. People buy air conditioners for the cooling functions; those who get units with heating and cooling functions are also convenient.
The air conditioner turns the compressor on and it runs until the room’s temperature reaches a preset point. Then, the compressor turns off until the temperature rises before it starts running again, but the fan will keep running. While this mode is the most preferred, it consumes energy the most. And the lower the set temperature, the longer the compressor will run and use up electric power.
iii. Dry Mode heat Mode
A particularly humid day does not necessarily mean the weather is hot. Sometimes, it is hot without being too humid. Other times, it is humid and hot. If you live in an area with high humidity, the Dry operating mode should be your go-to mode.
The air conditioner will absorb the extra moisture in the air without compromising the cooling function. In this mode, the fan keeps running at a steady speed and you cannot adjust it until you exit the Dry operating mode. But the compressor and fan will turn on and off within short intervals to provide cool air. The compressor also turns off when the internal humidity is low enough.
iv. Heat Mode
The air conditioner stops sending cool air into the room when you activate the Heat mode of operation. The airflow reverses so that the cool air expels from the outside unit and the warm air flows into the room. The warm air actually comes from the compressor and it is ideal for warming the house when the outside weather drops too low.
v. Turbo Mode
If the weather is hotter than it usually is, the Turbo Cooling operating mode will quickly lower the temperature. Within a significantly short time, the room will become cooler. Typically, hot weather makes cooling harder to achieve and that is where the mode comes into play. However, it consumes a lot of energy because it keeps the air conditioner running at maximum capacity until it reaches the set temperature.
vi. Auto Mode
This mode functions in much the same way as the Cool operating mode, but it allows the air conditioner to adjust the fan and compressor function according to the room temperature. When the preset temperature is achieved, the compressor goes off and the unit automatically adjusts the fan speed. As the temperature begins to rise, the unit turns the compressor on again and adjusts the fan speed. In some cases, the fan goes off to help conserve more energy.
vii. Fan Mode
This mode allows the air conditioner to release air for circulation, much like a normal fan would do. It does not require the use of the compressor so it helps conserve energy, but it does not provide cooling.
viii. Self-clean or Auto-clean Mode
Some air conditioners have a mode that allows the unit to clean itself. Over time, the air conditioner will gather dirt which slows it down and may affect its functionality. The dirt will also affect the quality of air blowing into your home and may fill it with harmful microorganisms.
The mode cleans the internal parts of the unit, particularly the coil, and leaves it clean enough to produce clean air. It will work along with the Dry or Cool operating modes so that you do not lose the cooling function. In some models, it can also work with the Heat mode of operation.
Once activated, the air conditioner will run and automatically shut off after about thirty minutes. All air conditioner manufacturers do not use the same time for the mode to run, so you may want to consult the unit’s user manual to learn more about the self-clean mode.
ix. Freeze Protection Mode
If you live in a cold climate and your home tends to freeze especially when you are not around, the Freeze Protection mode will keep it from reaching the freezing point. The air conditioner will blow warm air into the room without making it too warm.
This mode does not consume electricity because the air conditioner runs at the lowest capacity. It prevents mold growth and keeps fragile equipment from getting damaged.
x. Follow-Me or i-Feel Mode
With the advent of air conditioning innovations, you will find features that make it worthwhile to have an air conditioner. One of such features is the follow-me or i-Feel mode. The mode can cause the unit’s remote control to work like a thermostat.
Remote control that has a follow-me mode of operation also has a built-in thermostat. It has a sensor that allows the air conditioner to read the air temperature wherever the remote is. So, if you hold the remote, the air conditioner will automatically cool the area where you are.
Therefore, it eliminates the problem of warm spots or inadequate cooling experienced with air conditioners. The same applies if you are heating the room; the heating or cooling function works around the location of the remote control. However, not all air conditioners have this function, but you will find it with Midea air conditioners and several others.
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2. Timer
This function in an air conditioner allows you to set the exact run time for your air conditioner. You can use the timer button to select the function and set the exact time you want the air conditioner to run. It is ideal for cutting down energy consumption and for when you go to sleep. The unit will automatically turn itself off when it runs for the set time.
3. Fan Speed
The fan speed controls how hot or cool a room gets. Changing the fan speed can affect how quickly the room cools. The same applies if you are using the heating function. There are usually four fan speeds in a normal air conditioner: high, medium, low, and auto.
If you want to achieve quick cooling, use the high speed and cooling mode. But it is best to set the fan to auto because the air conditioner regulates the speed according to the set temperature and room temperature. The Fan mode does not have to be active for the fan speed to work.
4. Quiet Mode
In this mode, the air conditioner runs silently, which is ideal for when you want to sleep or rest. The unit will reduce the speed of the fan to make the operation quiet. In some air conditioner brands, the operating mode is called silent mode.
5. Swing Control
The feature allows you to change or adjust the swing louver angle. Previously, you could only use it while in a vertical position, but now, it can be adjusted both vertically and horizontally. You can also set it to be static.
An auto swing function allows the vents to sit at different angles to suit your specific needs. That way, the fan blows air into different parts of the room.
6. Ionizer
This feature cleans the air, removing impurities and pollutants. When it is active, an electronic mesh activates within the indoor unit and it fills the air with negative ions. Air pollutants are typically drawn to these ions and that way, they disappear from the room air.
There are a few other functions that come with air conditioners but they vary from brand to brand. These functions can be specific or named differently, but they are basically the same functions across all brands. Consult the user manual for your air conditioner brand to find out what a specific function represents.
Air Conditioner Remote Control Not Working – Quick Fix
You may be too far from the air conditioner sensor if you find the air conditioner remote control is not working. Move closer to the unit and try the remote again or check the batteries; the remote may need new ones.
Also, check to see if the polarity is right. Ensure you insert the batteries in the right order using the polarity in the remote’s battery cavity. But if that does not work, the problem may stem from a faulty infrared receiver on the control board. This article is a detailed explanation of how to troubleshoot and fix the problem.
How to Reset an Air Conditioner Remote Control
Most air conditioner remote controls have a small hole on one side at the bottom. That tiny hole can reset the remote to its factory settings. Find a small pin or any other object such as a staple. If it is a staple, straighten it and push one end into the hole. Then, press it.
The reset will delete all the unique configurations and restore the remote to its settings before you used it. If this method does not apply to your remote control, consult the user manual or contact the manufacturer for further assistance.
Note: If you have problems with your specific brand air conditioner remote control, consider purchasing a universal remote control. They work, as this article explains.
Air Conditioner Remote Control App
Several air conditioner remote control apps exist to help you update schedules, control functions, and adjust temperature settings remotely from your phone. Before choosing any remote control app for an air conditioner, ensure it is compatible with your phone and supports your specific AC brand.
The following are some remote control apps for air conditioners that are compatible with both iPhones and Android phones:
1. Ambi Climate
You can record your activities on the air conditioner for future reference. The app checks the information you feed it and works with it to learn which settings you mostly use. That way, it can build your profile and adjust your settings according to the weather, whether or not you manually use it. This method saves you time.
2. Cielo Home for Smart Air Conditioners
This app allows you to control your air conditioner from wherever you may be in the world. It reads your frequently used settings, internalizes them, and sets your air conditioner according to your preferences. In addition, you get a history of your air conditioner usage at any point you want. What’s more, it reads the air filter status and alerts you when it is time to run a maintenance check on the filters.
3. AirTouch
The app checks the air conditioner temperature settings, monitors the settings, and adjusts them if necessary. It can also turn the unit off and on from time to time to manage energy consumption.
Furthermore, the app can change the operating mode of the air conditioner and can control up to four air conditioners at the same time. In other words, you do not need to have separate apps if you have more than one air conditioner in your home or workplace.
4. Tado
Using your preferred smart air conditioner settings, Tado controls the unit from where you are. If you have a smart heating device, the app can also control it. It is highly intuitive and connects to your air conditioner using infrared. Adjust the temperature, mode, and other features on your unit straight from your phone; the app acts as a remote control.
5. ASmart Remote IR
The app works for most air conditioner brands and is pretty straightforward. Open the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, download the app, install it, and get ready to use it. You will see a + sign when you open the app; touch it to add your device and choose the AC brand you have. From there, you can use the features on the AC and make changes as desired.
Go to the Play Store or App Store and look for air conditioner remote apps. You will find quite a number of them. Also, you can contact the manufacturer for specific remote apps to use with your air conditioner.
Note: These apps may allow you to turn on the air conditioner and turn it off without using the actual remote control. They also help you to control the unit for different functions without the remote.
Recap
A remote control is essential to the functionality of an air conditioner. But it can become faulty, though fixing a remote is easy. However, an air conditioner remote control is not the only device that allows you to control the unit remotely; there are apps you can use for the same purpose straight from your phone.
This article shows you how to reset a remote control for an air conditioner, different symbols and what they represent, and the functions on the remote control. If you have problems with your air conditioner remote, contact the manufacturer for a replacement, especially if you have an active warranty. Alternatively, look for authorized dealers to purchase a replacement.