Air Conditioning Symbols - Your Complete AC Remote Guide

If you’ve ever looked at your air conditioning remote control and felt completely lost, you’re not alone. Many people only use the power button and the temperature arrows, leaving the other buttons untouched because they’re unsure what they do.

The truth is, those little AC remote symbols are there to make your air conditioning system work better for you, saving energy, improving comfort, and giving you full control. As a specialist in temporary cooling and heating solutions, we see it as our responsibility to make sure you understand exactly what each symbol means and how to use it to get the best performance from your air conditioning.

1. Power Button

This is the one you already know; it turns the system on and off.
Look for either of the symbols above. They are often labelled ON/OFF, START/STOP, or shown with the universal power icon.

Usually a different colour from the other buttons (orange, yellow, red, blue, or green).
Press once to start the system and once to stop it.
Most AC units remember your last settings, so when you turn it back on, it resumes where you left off.

2. Temperature Controls

The temperature buttons are often displayed with arrows and the word TEMP.

Up arrow = raises the temperature (warmer)
Down arrow = lowers the temperature (cooler)

3. Mode Selection

The MODE button cycles through your system’s operating modes. Brands vary, but most use these common air conditioning remote symbols:

Cooling Mode – Look for any of the snowflake symbols shown below. Use this in hot weather to lower the room temperature.

AC remote snowflake symbol for cooling mode

Heating Mode – Represented by any of the sun icons shown below. Use this in colder months to warm up the space.

Dry Mode – Shown as a water droplet, some examples are below. Ideal for reducing humidity in warm, sticky conditions.

AC remote water drop symbol for dry mode

AUTO Mode – Usually says AUTO or shows a combined heat/cool icon, as shown below. The unit will choose heating or cooling automatically based on your set temperature.

4. Fan Speed Control

The FAN button is usually represented by an icon of a fan blade, similar to the ones above. This controls air circulation without heating or cooling:

Manual speeds from low to high.

AUTO Fan lets the unit decide the best speed. The symbols below are commonly used to represent this.

QUIET/SILENT Mode is perfect for night-time use. This feature is usually indicated by one of the following symbols.

POWERFUL/TURBO Mode can provide rapid heating or cooling. On most AC remotes, you’ll recognise this setting by these symbols.

5. Airflow Direction

Many modern AC units let you adjust airflow:

Horizontal Louvre Control – Certain units include a horizontal louvre control button, which moves the louvre side to side to direct airflow left to right.

AUTO Swing – This setting automatically adjusts the blade position for optimal airflow.

6. Timer Feature

Timer – Shown with a clock symbol, this function lets you set start or stop times for cooling. The clock on the left is commonly shown to indicate the timer is on and the one on the right is used to show the timer is off.

Here’s a summary of common air conditioning remote symbols:

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Get the Most From Your AC

Once you understand your air conditioning remote symbols, you can control temperature, airflow, and energy use with confidence. Whether you need to heat, cool, or simply freshen the air, knowing what each button does means better performance and comfort year-round.

If your system is down, being serviced, or struggling during peak heat, Rapid Energy can keep you cool without disruption. We provide air conditioning rentals, including spot coolers and split AC unit hire for industrial and commercial spaces – ideal for emergencies, planned projects, or seasonal demand.

Call us on 0800 464 7025 or email hire@rapidenergy.co.uk.