I won’t lie. I used to find AC remotes overwhelming, if not confusing. For the most part, I would just use two buttons on an AC remote: power and temperature up/down. The rest often go untouched because either I can go by not needing them, or worse, not knowing their purpose. Yet many of these functions can improve cooling, reduce electricity consumption, or simply make the air conditioner more comfortable to use.
If you are also in the same boat, I can help you understand the common AC remote buttons. I am using the Godrej Eon Magnus 2026 AC’s remote (model: R21W1). This is currently an AC we are reviewing, and it has almost every feature found on a modern premium split AC. While a few functions work differently on Godrej, most of the buttons work similarly across other brands.
Tap the Power button to turn the air conditioner on or off. When turning the AC off, wait for the front flaps to close completely before cutting the power.
The plus and minus buttons increase or decrease the set temperature.
For instance, in Delhi summers so far, I have been setting the Godrej AC temperature between 28°C and 30°C. Setting it lower doesn’t mean the room will quickly cool. This is because when you turn the AC on, the compressor runs at full power and works towards bringing the temperature to the one you set. The same cool air is released to the room regardless of the temperature which you set. For lower temperatures, the compressor keeps running until that temperature is achieved.
The Mode button cycles through the available operating modes.
If you have a hot-and-cold AC, you’d also get a heating mode.
This button changes the speed of the indoor fan.
You can choose Low, Medium or High, or leave it on Auto. The technician asked us to use High fan speed in Cool mode for faster cooling in the room.
If you want the fastest cooling, then choose Turbo mode as it runs the compressor and indoor fan at maximum performance.
It is useful when you return to a hot room and want it to cool down quickly.
Sleep mode is designed for use at night.
On the Godrej Eon Magnus, the technician explained that the AC gradually increases the set temperature by up to 2°C during operation to prevent overcooling while you sleep. The unit then switches off automatically after about eight hours.
The i-Sense feature uses the temperature sensor inside the remote instead of the one inside the indoor unit.
For example, if you are sitting on a sofa across the room, placing the remote next to you allows the AC to cool based on the temperature at your location instead of where the indoor unit is mounted.
This controls the up-and-down movement of the air outlet flap.
You can either keep it angled in one direction or allow it to swing continuously to distribute cool air across the room.
Horizontal Swing controls the left-and-right movement of the internal louvres to spread cool air across a wider area in the room.
The Display button turns the indoor unit’s LED display on or off.
This is useful if the display light feels distracting while sleeping.
The Lock function disables the remote’s buttons to prevent accidental changes. It is especially useful if there are children at home.
The Hygiene+ button starts the AC’s self-cleaning function.
According to the Godrej technician, after long periods of use, especially during the monsoon, moisture can build up inside the evaporator coil and create unpleasant odours. Hygiene+ keeps the indoor blower running for around five minutes after cooling stops to dry the coil before automatically switching the AC off. This helps reduce moisture, odours, and mould growth.
The Humidity function works with the AC’s dehumidification capability to help manage excess moisture in the room. This is particularly useful during humid weather.
The 5-in-1 Convert button lets you adjust the AC’s cooling capacity depending on your cooling requirement.
The Godrej technician explained the different levels as follows:
This feature allows you to balance cooling performance with electricity usage instead of always running the AC at full capacity.
In case you want to control the AC using the AC app, press this button to enable Wi-Fi pairing.
Once connected through the Godrej app, you can control the AC remotely, create schedules, and access supported smart features from your phone.
You’ll learn to use each of these features once you understand when to use them.
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Also Read: How to reduce humidity with an AC without using a dehumidifier