AC Remote Symbols: What Each Symbol and Button Does

The MODE button cycles through the five basic modes, and each mode is marked with a fixed symbol. These symbols are shared by most remotes in Israel.

What each symbol means, per the sources we checked:

• Snowflake (COOL, cooling): the AC is cooling. Per pro.co.il, the snowflake is the cooling symbol. Per the Electra RC-3 remote manual, in cooling mode the AC also lowers humidity and filters the air.
• Sun (HEAT, heating): the AC heats. The Tornado RG36 remote manual says this mode appears only on cooling-and-heating models.
• Drop (DRY, drying): the AC lowers the humidity in the room. Per the Tornado and Family manuals, in this mode the blower speed is set automatically and cannot be changed.
• FAN (ventilation, blade symbol): only the blower runs, without cooling or heating. Per the Tornado remote manual, in this mode you cannot set a temperature, so it is not shown on the display either.
• AUTO (circular arrows, automatic): the AC chooses by itself between cooling and heating according to the room temperature. Per pro.co.il this is the default mode. The Electra manual also lists a COOL/HEAT mode.

The Family manual also lists an ECO mode among the modes. On Tornado's RG36, the order when pressing MODE is FAN, HEAT, DRY, COOL, AUTO. If the remote is "stuck" on a mode you do not recognize, keep pressing MODE until the snowflake appears.

These are the four common add-on modes. The names vary between brands, but the principle is similar.

SLEEP (moon, sleep):

• Per pro.co.il, sleep mode changes the temperature gradually until switching off, to prevent extreme cold or heat while you sleep.
• On Tornado's RG36 remote, SLEEP is available only in COOL, HEAT and AUTO modes, and is cancelled by pressing MODE, FAN or power.
• In the Family manual, sleep mode changes the temperature gradually and switches the AC off automatically after 8 hours.

TURBO or SUPER (fast cooling or heating):

• On Tornado's RG36 remote: TURBO gives strong cold air at high blower speed. In heating it is available only on models with a PTC heating element.
• In the Tornado inverter AC manual the button is called SUPER, and it switches fast cooling or heating on and off.
• On Family, TURBO raises the blower to maximum speed.

ECO or ECONOMY (saving):

• On Family, ECO raises the temperature by 2°C in cooling, and lowers it by 2°C in heating.
• In the Tornado manual, ECONOMY exists only on inverter models.

Quiet (QUIET, SILENCE or MUTE):

• On the RG36 remote the button is called SILENCE, and it runs the indoor unit with gentle airflow to reduce noise. In the Tornado manual it is called QUIET, and exists only on inverter models. On Family, MUTE lowers the blower to the lowest speed.

In a bedroom, combining SLEEP and low speed is the simple way to quiet. More on this in our 1 HP air conditioner guide.

iFeel and FOLLOW ME are two names for the same idea: the AC adjusts itself according to the temperature measured at the remote, not the sensor inside the AC. So the remote needs to be near where you are.

What the sources say:

• Tadiran: in the Q&A on Tadiran's site, the I-FEEL function sends the temperature at the remote's location to the AC, so a clear line of sight between the remote and the AC is needed. The Tadiran Connect app guide notes that if the remote is in iFeel mode, you cancel it on the remote.
• Electra: the Electra RC-3 remote manual has an I FEEL button, alongside the SLEEP and TIMER buttons.
• Tornado: in the inverter AC manual, IFEEL switches the mode on and off. If it does not cancel, press the button for about 5 seconds. On the RG36 remote the function is called FOLLOW ME, and is activated by a long press of more than 2 seconds on the FOLLOW ME/LED button. The remote sends the temperature every 3 minutes, and the function is not available in DRY and FAN modes.
• Family: iFeel is not available in FAN mode.

SMART: in the Tornado manual, the SMART button activates fuzzy-logic operation (Fuzzy Logic). The AC chooses the operating mode and temperature by itself.

If the AC behaves oddly, for example over-cooling when the remote is lying near a sunny window, check whether iFeel is on. The iFeel or FOLLOW ME symbol appears on the display when the mode is active.

The timer and clock buttons set when the AC switches on and off. The SWING buttons set where the air flows, and LED or DIMMER turn off the display.

Timer and clock:

• TIMER ON / TIMER OFF: switch on or off at the time you set. On Tornado's RG36 remote you set it in half-hour steps up to 10 hours, then in one-hour steps up to 24 hours. On Family, the range is half an hour to 24 hours.
• CLOCK: setting the time on the remote. The Electra RC-3 manual has a TIMER button that cycles through 4 timer modes, plus a section on setting the time.
• App: in the Tadiran Connect guide, you can set a weekly schedule with up to 4 on/off periods a day.

Airflow (SWING):

• The RG36 remote has two SWING buttons, for vertical and horizontal direction. A short press moves the louver by 6 degrees, and a press of more than 2 seconds activates automatic movement.
• Family also has two buttons, up-down and side to side.

Display and lock:

• LED, DISPLAY or DIMMER: turn off the indoor unit's display and lights, handy in a bedroom. In the Tornado manual, any press or signal from the remote turns them back on.
• LOCK: locks the remote, useful when there are children. The RG36 remote has a separate LOCK button. On Family, press MODE and TIMER together, and Lo appears on the display.
• RESET: a recessed button on the RG36 remote that returns the remote to its default settings.

Some symbols are not on the remote but on the AC itself. They signal filter cleaning, defrosting or a fault, and do not always indicate a problem.

Cleaning and freshen buttons on the remote:

• CLEAN SELF: on Tornado's RG36 remote, a long press on TURBO activates automatic drying and cleaning of the evaporator.
• CLEAN: on Family, self-cleaning for up to about 30 minutes. The manual recommends running it every 3 months.
• FRESH: on the RG36 remote, a long press on SLEEP activates FRESH mode.
• BLOW: per pro.co.il, on some remotes this is a button that keeps the blower running after switching off, to dry moisture and prevent mold.

Lights on the AC, per Tadiran:

• FILTER: comes on after 250 operating hours, as a reminder to clean the filter. After cleaning, turn it off with OFF or RESET.
• COND AIR flashing in heating mode, when the compressor runs and the fans stop: the AC is defrosting. Wait about 10 minutes.
• STAND-BY off, and the AC does not switch on: if the power and breakers are fine, this is a reason to contact service.

Tornado, code H1: per Tornado, the code appears in winter when the coil in the outdoor unit has frozen, usually around ⁦5–6⁩°C. The AC defrosts by itself within about ⁦10–15⁩ minutes, and you do not need to touch the remote.

Light colors, in general: per pro.co.il, green means normal operation, orange means maintenance is needed, like cleaning filters, and red means a fault. A flashing red light can, on some brands, actually indicate a proper power connection. Check your model's manual. How do you clean the filters? That is explained in our AC cleaning guide.

A Shabbat mode is built into many models, but in the manuals we checked we did not find a uniform instruction for activating it. In most cases the remote itself is fine, and the problem is the batteries.

Shabbat mode:

• Store pages list a built-in Shabbat mode on models like the Tadiran Air One INV 140, 180, 240, 340 and 370, Electra Relax Inverter 140 and Tornado TOP J. The Electra Relax Inverter 140 page says the mode is certified by Mishmeret HaShabbat.
• How to activate it varies from model to model. In the manuals we opened we did not find a general instruction, so look for it in your model's manual or ask the importer's customer service. For the Haier Elite Pro INV 32, the store page presents Auto-Restart "also as a Shabbat mode", which is not the same as a certified Shabbat mode. Which ranges include a Shabbat mode? That is detailed in our Tadiran vs Electra AC guide.

The remote does not work:

• Batteries: Tornado notes this is the common cause, and recommends replacing batteries about every two years. The RG36 remote takes two AAA batteries. Note that removing the batteries erases the remote's programming.
• Range and line of sight: per pro.co.il, stand within 8 meters of the AC, with no obstacles. A simple test: point the remote at your phone's camera and press power. If you see a flash on the screen, the remote is transmitting.
• Interference: per Tadiran, if there is electronic interference, unplug the AC and plug it back in.

Replacement remote: an original remote from the importer suits all functions. With a universal remote, per pro.co.il, you enter a manufacturer code or scan codes until the AC responds. Some special buttons, like iFeel or Shabbat mode, may not work with it.