Heat pump remote symbols explained: what the sun, snowflake, droplet and fan mean

Heat pump remotes look different from brand to brand and model to model, but the core symbols are close to universal, because every split heat pump does the same five things. Some remotes, including Daikin's, show the mode as a word (Cool, Heat, Dry, Fan, Auto) rather than a picture. If your remote has buttons this page doesn't cover, they're model-specific features; the user manual for your exact model number is the final word.

What do the mode symbols mean?

The MODE button steps through the operating modes, and the current one shows at the top of the remote's screen. Mitsubishi Electric's New Zealand quick-start guide describes heating as the sun symbol and cooling as the snowflake.

Should I use Auto mode?

Mitsubishi Electric's own guide says that rather than Auto, it recommends choosing Heating or Cooling based on the season. Auto can flick into cooling on a sunny afternoon in a room you wanted warm. In a New Zealand winter, the sun symbol is the one you want.

What does the water droplet (Dry mode) do?

It dehumidifies. Daikin describes Dry as removing humidity while keeping the indoor temperature as steady as possible, and says it controls temperature and fan speed itself, so you can't adjust them manually. Mitsubishi Electric says its heat pumps offer limited dehumidification in Dry, that the unit isn't heating while in it, and recommends using it for shorter periods when heating isn't needed. It isn't a fix for a damp house; our winter settings guide covers when it's worth using.

What do the fan speed bars mean?

The bars, usually beside a small fan, are fan speed: more bars, more air. A higher speed heats or cools a room faster; a lower speed is gentler and quieter. Mitsubishi Electric suggests speed 1 or 2 to keep a steady room, and describes its Auto fan setting as running at 3 or 4 bars to get the room to temperature, then dropping back to 1 or 2 to hold it. Many remotes also have a Quiet or night fan setting, the lowest speed, for bedrooms.

What do the vane, swing and airflow symbols mean?

• Vane (an angled line, often with numbered positions): sets the up-down direction of the air. Mitsubishi Electric says to point it down (positions 4 or 5) for heating and up (1 or 2) for cooling or dry, because warm air rises and cool air falls.
• Swing (a wave or a line with arrows): the vane moves up and down continuously to spread air around the room.
• Auto vane: the unit picks the most efficient direction itself; Mitsubishi Electric recommends it.
• Left-right airflow: on models that have it, a second button moves the side-to-side louvres. Daikin notes airflow direction icons only appear if the indoor unit has that function.
• Whatever the setting, avoid pointing air straight at where people sit or sleep.

What do the other buttons and icons mean?

What's the cheapest way to run it?

1. Pick the sun, not Auto, in winter, as Mitsubishi Electric recommends.
2. Set the temperature you actually want, 18–22°C. Mitsubishi Electric is blunt that setting 28°C won't heat the room faster; it just makes the unit work harder and use more power.
3. Leave the fan on Auto so it runs hard to warm up and drops back to hold the temperature.
4. Point the vane down for heating, or leave it on Auto.
5. Use the timer to turn it on 30 minutes before you get up or get home, rather than heating an empty house. Mitsubishi Electric says it's more economical to turn the heat pump off if you'll be out for a few hours or most of the day.
6. Keep the filters clean. A clogged filter costs heat; our filter guide takes ten minutes.

If the remote is set right and the room still isn't warming, the problem is the unit, not the settings: see heat pump blowing cold air. If it's old and struggling, our replacement cost guide has current prices.