Australians have been using air conditioning to cool and warm their homes since the 1950s, and the technology has developed in leaps and bounds since then. There are three main types of air conditioners, however, regardless of whether you choose a split system, ducted or portable air conditioning system, all of them have one thing in common. They have remote control capabilities (and some even SmartPhone technologies), that allow you to change settings literally at the touch of a button! Here are some of the more common Daikin air conditioner remote symbols that will vary depending on the type and model you choose.
Split systems
Icon | What it is | How it works | Why use it? |
 | On/off button | Press once to turn the system on, and again to turn the system off. | Once your air conditioner is turned on, it is active in operation. |
 | Mode button | Pressing this button consistently will take you through the various modes of operation available. | You can change the mode of operation depending on your needs. For example, setting modes like automatic, heating, cooling and drying. |
 | Automatic operation mode. | This operation mode is activated by pressing the Mode button. | This mode automatically regulates the temperature of the room, increasing or decreasing cooling/heating until the set temperature you have chosen is achieved. |
 | Drying operation mode. | This operation mode is activated by pressing the Mode button. | This mode decreases the humidity in the room and is ideal for days when the weather has a tropical feel but the temperature is not hot enough to use cooling mode. An example would be days when it has been raining or about to rain and the humidity is high. |
 | Heating operation mode. | This operation mode is activated by pressing the Mode button. | This mode will heat up the room until the desired temperature you have set on the thermostat is reached. The recommended temperature for heating depends on where you live, but following these guidelines can help save money on your power bills. |
 | Cooling operation mode. | This operation mode is activated by pressing the Mode button. | This mode will cool down the room until the desired temperature you have set on the thermostat is reached. The recommended temperature for cooling depends on where you live, but following these guidelines can help save money on your power bills. |
 | Fan operation mode. | This operation mode is activated by pressing the Mode button. | In this mode, the fan runs continuously, but the compressor is turned off, so the fan simply circulates the air already present in the room. In this mode, no change is made to the temperature or humidity levels of the room. It is best used when humidity and temperature are at acceptable levels and all you need is a simple movement of air. |
| | Fan speed selection. | Pressing this button continuously will toggle the fan speed in the following order: Low to Medium to High to Auto. | The fan speed mode can be used in combination with the desired heating, cooling and drying mode. |
 | Powerful operation mode. | This operation is activated by pressing the button with this symbol. | In this mode, the system will run at its maximum capacity so you can cool down or heat up a room quickly, often in as little as 15 minutes. |
 | Econo operation mode. | This operation is activated by pressing the button with this symbol. | Econo operation mode can be used when you are also using other power-consuming appliances in order to save energy. |
 | Outdoor unit quiet operation mode. | This operation is activated by pressing the button with this symbol. | In this mode, the noise level of the outdoor unit is decreased. It is ideal if your air conditioner is being used at night. |
 | Comfort operation mode. | This operation is activated by pressing the button with this symbol. | This mode means the system will automatically adjust the airflow direction to cool down or heat up the room more effectively. |
 | Intelligent eye operation mode. | This operation is activated by pressing the button with this symbol. | This mode has a sensor that detects human movement in the room. If no one is in the room for more than 20 minutes, the operation automatically changes to energy saving operation. |
 | Automatic vertical swing mode. | This operation is activated by pressing the button with this symbol. | This mode is used to stop or start vertical louvre movement and set the desired up/down air flow direction. |
| | Automatic horizontal swing mode. | This operation is activated by pressing the button with this symbol. | This mode is used to stop or start horizontal louvre movement and set the desired left/right air flow direction. |
 | Streamer discharge mode. | This operation is activated by pressing the button with this symbol. | This mode uses technology that decomposes and removes allergens such as mites, mould,viruses, bacteria and pollen, along with any unpleasant odours that may have infiltrated your home. |
 | Temperature control. | Temperature control is activated by pressing the up (to increase) and down (to decrease) buttons. | This allows you to increase or decrease the temperature of the thermostat in various modes. |
Ducted Systems
Number from diagram | What it is | How it works |
1 | On/off button | Press the button to start or stop the air conditioner. |
2 | Operation Indicator | This indicator illuminates (RED) when the air conditioner is operating. |
3 | Centralised Control Indicator | This symbol indicates that the air conditioner is under control from an optional centralised control panel. |
4 | Heat Reclaim Ventilation/Air Cleaning | This symbol indicates that the optional Heat Reclaim Ventilation Unit is operating. This recovers heat energy lost through temperature changes caused by ventilation. Thereby, it maintains a comfortable and clean environment and reduces the load on the air conditioning system and conserves energy. |
5 | Operation Display | Fan: In this mode, the fan runs continuously, but the compressor is turned off, so the fan simply circulates the air already present in the room. In this mode, no change is made to the temperature or humidity levels of the room. It is best used when humidity and temperature are at acceptable levels and all you need is a simple movement of air. Dry: This mode decreases the humidity in the room and is ideal for days when the weather has a tropical feel but the temperature is not hot enough to use cooling mode. An example would be days when it has been raining or about to rain and the humidity is high. Auto: This mode automatically regulates the temperature of the room, increasing or decreasing cooling/heating until the set temperature you have chosen is achieved. Cool: This mode will cool down the room until the desired temperature you have set on the thermostat is reached. The recommended temperature for cooling depends on where you live, but following these guidelines can help save money on your power bills. Heat: This mode will heat up the room until the desired temperature you have set on the thermostat is reached. The recommended temperature for heating depends on where you live, but following these guidelines can help save money on your power bills. |
6 | Inspection/Test Indicator | This symbol flashes to indicate that the microprocessor has determined that a fault condition has occurred |
7 | Program Time Indicator | These symbols and numbers indicate the programmed stop (off) and start (on) time. |
8 | Selected Temperature Display | This display indicates the desired room temperature |
9 | Fan Speed Display | This display indicates the selected fan speed (i.e. high or low) |
10 | Filter Clean Indicator | This symbol indicates that the indoor return air filter may require cleaning. |
11 | Defrost Indicator | This symbol indicates that the air conditioner is in the process of removing the build-up of ice on the outdoor unit. |
12 | Non Functioning Display | If a particular function is not available, pressing this button may display the words “NOT AVAILABLE” for a few seconds. When running multiple units simultaneously, the “NOT AVAILABLE” message will only appear if none of the indoor units is equipped with the function. Even if one unit is equipped, the display will not appear. |
13 | Timer Mode Start/Stop | Press this button to select the setting for timer stop. Press the button a second time to select the setting for timer start. |
14 | Program Timer On/Off | Press this button after entering the desired off/on time to initiate the timer function. |
15 | Inspection/Test Operation | This button is for use by installation or service technicians only. |
16 | Program Time | Push on the up arrow to increase the desired program stop/start time. Push on the down arrow to decrease the desired program stop/start time. |
17 | Temperature Set | Push on the up arrow to increase the desired room temperature. Push on the down arrow to decrease the desired room temperature. |
References
- 2021, Split System Air Conditioning, Daikin
- 2021, Multi Split Air Conditioning, Daikin
- 2021, Ducted System Air Conditioning, Daikin
- 2020, The Meaning of Air Conditioner Remote Control Symbols Explained, Oasis
- 2021, What do the symbols on my controller mean? Daikin
- Megan Birot, 2020, How to use your air conditioner for heating, Canstar Blue
- 2021, Split System Ducted Air Conditioner, Daikin
Cover image from Daikin
