Advice and News, Hints & Tips •
You sweltered your way through last summer, and according to weather experts, this one may be even hotter, so you’ve invested in a split system air conditioner. And although there are lots of benefits of installing air conditioning, keeping comfortably cool was your main priority for buying. Because summertime should be a happy time, right? (And for those who experience chilly winters, an equally happy time).
It’s now installed, but you’re having a little trouble making sense of how the remote control works — even with an instruction manual to guide you. The good news is that most of the major brands’ models have similar features, so once you become familiar with the basic functionality settings, you’ll be operating your new AC like a pro! Here, we cover popular models of two of the major brands’ split system ranges in terms of how to control your air conditioner remote.
How to control your air conditioner remote – Daikin
This is a guide to a few of Daikin’s basic split system models (in particular, the ARC466A2). For more detailed instructions, see their operation manual or search for your specific Daikin model here. Preparation before operation involves setting the batteries and positioning the remote control holder onto the wall. The process is similar to most air conditioning remote controls.
In terms of the signal transmitter, most models require you to aim the remote at the indoor unit. If anything is blocking the signal between the unit and the remote control, the unit will probably not operate. Also, don’t drop the remote or get it wet! All remotes are a little different, and this model’s remote control has an exterior control face and an additional interior control face that can be accessed by sliding the remote panel down.
Daikin exterior face remote control functions
FAN setting button
This setting selects the airflow rate setting.
RADIANT switching button
Provides a comfortable environment with quiet and current-less heating operation in addition to the HEAT operation mode. The surface of the radiant panel is heated up, and the radiated heat warms the surrounding air. The warm air that slowly circulates gently warms the entire room.
LCD display
Displays the current settings.
TEMPERATURE adjustment buttons
These change the temperature setting. Press the “up” button to raise the temperature and the “down” button to lower the temperature. COOL operation is between 18 and 32ºC, HEAT or RADIANT operation is between 10 and 30ºC, and AUTO operation is between 18 and 32ºC. The ideal recommended temperature setting for cooling is between 26 and 28ºC and for heating between 20 and 24ºC. Following these recommendations can help your system operate efficiently and save on your power bills.
ON/OFF BUTTON
Press once to start the operation and again to stop it.
Daikin interior face remote control functions
MODE selector button
In terms of how to set the temperature on a Daikin air conditioner, the MODE selector button allows you to select the operation mode of your choice. After selecting for the first time, the air conditioner will then operate with the same operation mode. Most split systems have options that include Heat, Cool, Dry, Auto and Fan settings.
- Heat setting. The air conditioner will heat the room by taking heat from the outdoors to the indoors, and the heating capacity decreases in lower outdoor temperatures. If the heating effect is insufficient, it is recommended you use another heating appliance in combination with your air conditioner. The heat pump system heats the room by circulating hot air around all parts of the room. After the start of HEAT operation, it will take some time before the room gets warmer. In HEAT operation, frost may occur on the outdoor unit and lower the heating capacity. In this case, the system will switch to defrosting operation. Hot air does not flow out of the outdoor unit during this operation.
- Cool setting. The air conditioner will cool the room by releasing the heat in the room outside. The cooling performance of the air conditioner may be degraded if the outdoor temperature is high. Do not use the COOL operation if the outdoor temperature is lower than 10ºC. If the operation is used, the protective function of the main unit will activate and disable the operation.
- Dry setting. This function works to rid the room of humidity while maintaining the temperature as much as possible.
- Auto setting. In AUTO mode, the system selects an appropriate operation mode (COOL or HEAT) based on the room and outside temperatures. The system automatically adjusts at regular intervals to bring the room temperature to user-setting level.
- Fan setting. Each pressing of the FAN button advances the airflow rate setting in sequence from AUTO to INDOOR QUIET UNIT to LOW to MIDDLE LOW to HIGH to MIDDLE HIGH and MIDDLE.
QUIET button
The outdoor unit’s quiet operation lowers the noise level of the outdoor unit by changing the frequency and fan speed. This function is convenient at night.
POWERFUL button
POWERFUL operation quickly maximises the cooling and heating effect in any operation mode, so you get the maximum capacity.
OFF TIMER button
In terms of how to set the timer on a Daikin air conditioner, this is useful for automatically switching the air conditioner on or off at night or in the morning. You can also use the OFF TIMER and ON TIMER in combination.
TIMER CANCEL button
Cancels the timer setting. It cannot be used for WEEKLY TIMER operation.
SELECT button
Changes the ON/OFF TIMER and WEEKLY TIMER settings.
ECONO button
Activates ECONO operation. This function enables efficient operation by limiting the maximum power consumption. It is useful when using the air conditioner and other electrical devices simultaneously.
SWING button
Adjusts the airflow direction. Press SWING and the horizontal blade will begin to swing. Press the SWING button again when the blade has reached its desired position.
LAMP BRIGHTNESS setting button
Will allow you to set the illuminance of the indoor unit display.
WEEKLY/PROGRAM/COPY/BACK/NEXT buttons
These refer to WEEKLY TIMER operation settings. Up to four settings can be saved for each day of the week to suit your family’s lifestyle. They also allow you to set on/off time and the desired temperature.
ON TIMER button
Allows you to check that the clock is correct.
CLOCK button
Allows you to set the current day of the week and the present time.
How to control your air conditioner remote – Fujitsu
This guide is for Fujitsu’s ASTG18LVCC split system model, which is a popular choice for mid-sized rooms. You can search for your specific Fujitsu model here.
The numbers of the functions below correspond to the diagram above.
17. Signal transmitter
See notes as per Daikin above.
18. MODE button
Press the START/STOP button (figure 25) to start operation. Press the MODE button to select the desired mode – AUTO/COOL/DRY/FAN/HEAT. Each time the button is pressed, the mode will change.
The COOL setting will cool the room and the HEAT option will warm the room. When the HEAT setting is selected, the indoor unit will operate at a very low fan speed for about three to five minutes, after which it will switch to the selected fan setting. If the room temperature is very low, frost may form on the outdoor unit, and the unit will automatically enter a defrost cycle.
The DRY setting can be used to gently cool while dehumidifying a room. The unit will operate at low speed to adjust to the room’s humidity and the unit’s fan may stop from time to time. You cannot heat the room during the DRY mode.
The FAN setting is used to circulate air throughout the room. When the AUTO setting is first selected, the fan will operate at a very low speed for about two minutes. During this time, the indoor unit will detect the room’s conditions and select the proper operation mode.
19. 10ºC HEAT button
With this function, the room’s temperature can be maintained at 10ºC to prevent the room temperature from falling too far.
20. SET TEMP button
To operate the thermostat, press the SET TEMP button up (to raise the thermostat setting) and down (to lower the thermostat setting). Recommended thermostat setting ranges are AUTO (18 to 30ºC), HEATING (16 to 30ºC) and COOLING/DRY (18 to 30ºC). The thermostat cannot be used to set room temperature during the FAN mode.
21. ECONOMY button
During this operation, the thermostat setting automatically changes according to the temperature to avoid unnecessary heating and cooling for the most economical operation.
22. SLEEP button
While the unit is operating or stopped, press the SLEEP button and set the time using the TIMER SET buttons (buttons 28). This function presents excessive warming or cooling during sleep and will automatically modify the thermostat setting in accordance with the time setting. When the set time has elapsed, the unit will stop operation.
23. TIMER MODE button
In terms of how to set the timer on a Fujitsu air conditioner, after pressing the START/STOP BUTTON (button 25), press the TIMER MODE button to select the OFF or ON timer operation. Use the TIMER SET buttons (button 28) to set the desired OFF time or ON time.
24. FAN button
To set the fan speed, press the FAN button. Each time the button is pressed, the fan speed changes from AUTO to HIGH to MED to LOW to QUIET. When set to AUTO and for heating, the fan operates so as to optimally circulate warm air. For cooling, as the room temperature approaches that of the thermostat setting, the fan speed becomes slower. During QUIET mode, the unit’s airflow will be reduced for quieter operation and heating and cooling performance will be somewhat reduced. If heating or cooling is not satisfactory, adjust the unit’s fan speed.
25. START/STOP button
26. SET button
This function will adjust the unit’s vertical (up-down) direction of airflow. Horizontal airflow direction can be manually adjusted by moving the airflow direction louvres. Each time the SET button is pressed, the airflow direction will change.
27. SWING button
In this mode, the airflow direction louvres will swing automatically to direct the airflow both up and down.
28. TIMER SET buttons
29. CLOCK ADJUST button
Use the tip of a ballpoint pen or other small object to press the button. Use the TIMER SET buttons (figure 28) to adjust the clock to the current time. Press the CLOCK ADJUST button to complete the time setting and start the clock.
30. TEST RUN button
This function is used when installing the air conditioner and should not be used under normal conditions as it may cause the thermostat function to operate incorrectly.
31. RESET button
This is how to reset your air conditioner remote control.
How to control your air conditioner remote – Mitsubishi Electric
This brand offers a basic guide as above, with many similar features we’ve already covered. These are specific to the MSZ-AP22-50 Series air conditioners, but if you need more in-depth guidance (like how to set the temperature on a Mitsubishi air conditioner or how to set the timer on an air conditioner that is a Mitsubishi brand), go to the support page on their website and scroll down to the Guide and Manual Downloads section. You should be able to find your model-specific guide here.
References
- 2023, Daikin Room Air Conditioner Operation Manual, Daikin
- 2023, Product Manuals, Fujitsu General