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What AC Modes Does My Unit Have and When Should I Use Them?

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When using AC, it’s suggested that 78° Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature to achieve a balance of energy-saving and comfort. But the best AC setting will depend on your unique needs.

If you’re wondering “what AC modes does my unit have and when should I use them?” you’re not alone. Today, we’re looking at the recommended AC settings available on most units to see which works best in various circumstances.

Air Conditioner Settings

First, let’s look at the air conditioner settings on the unit’s remote. Getting to grips with these will give you more control and therefore more comfort:

  • Temperature – Air conditioner temperature settings allow you to select your preferred temperature that the AC unit will work to hit.
  • Fan speed – This setting adjusts the speed that the fan operates and therefore how quickly it cools or heats your home. Typically, the options will be low, medium, high, and auto.
  • Timer settings – Using a timer allows you to conserve energy by only using the unit when you need it. It also allows you to set the AC to come on while you’re out, ensuring you return home to a comfortable temperature.
  • Swing control – This allows you to change the direction that the air is blowing. Most units include an auto setting that distributes the air to all parts of the room. 
  • Quiet mode – Silent mode reduces the humming noise made while the unit is operational, which is useful when sleeping or working from home.

AC Modes

Cool Mode

Cool mode is the most common default mode on an AC unit. It works by taking the hot air from the room and running it through the compressor to cool the air before fanning it back out into the room.

When programmed to this setting, the unit will cool your space to the desired temperature and then maintain it. Cool mode is best when temperatures are high but humidity is manageable.

Key benefits:

  • An easy-to-manage default setting.
  • Great for cooling a room and maintaining an ideal temperature.

Dry Mode

Dry mode in AC units does what you might expect: it dries the air. Dry mode aircon is especially useful for properties in humid locations and during monsoon seasons as it helps to reduce the humidity in a space.  

Other than this, the dry setting on AC units functions in a similar way to cool mode. Most often, dry mode is used when both the temperature and humidity are high, but it’s also useful on milder days when the air is still damp.

Key benefits:

  • Removes moisture from the air when humidity is high.
  • A good alternative to cool mode.

Fan Mode

Air conditioner fan mode means that only the fan is running and the compressor remains off. This is a great mode for saving power after the desired room temperature has been achieved in cool mode.

Using only the fan provides cool air and aids ventilation but doesn’t have the cooling power of the compressor. As a result, fan mode in AC is good for when humidity is low.

Key benefits:

  • Boosts ventilation on cooler days when the compressor isn’t necessary.
  • An economic way of maintaining the desired room temperature.

Auto Mode

Automatic mode allows you to achieve and maintain a specified temperature in your living space. Auto mode uses compressor power and the fan to achieve the room temperature and both are shut off when not required, which saves power.

As well as helping to keep electricity bills down, auto mode also reduces humidity. This is because the moisture that the machine produces as it works is taken straight to the drain pan which removes the risk of any extra moisture ending up in your room.

Key benefits:

  • Reduces electricity costs while cooling effectively.
  • Gives better control over humidity.

Eco Mode

The eco air conditioner setting is also known as the energy saver mode and does exactly what you’d expect: it saves energy. The mechanics of how this happens can differ between models but typically, the fan and compressor in the unit shut down once the desired temperature has been achieved. 

Then, after a short time has passed, the unit will ‘check’ the room temperature by switching on the fan for around 20 seconds. If it has increased, the compressor starts up again. Since the unit is running for less time overall, power is saved.

Key benefits:

  • Energy consumption is reduced, saving electricity.
  • An ideal setting for days when it’s not too hot outside.

Sleep Mode

Putting your AC unit into sleep mode before you go to bed helps ensure that you’re at an ideal temperature throughout the night. It does this by gradually increasing the temperature in the hours after sleep mode is activated. 

Timings and temperatures will vary by AC unit models and manufacturers, but usually, the increase will be 0.5 to one degree per hour. The maximum total increase is around three degrees which compensate for dropping overnight temperatures as well as keeping you comfortable. Sleep mode in AC can also reduce power consumption, making it a good eco air conditioner setting.   

Key benefits:

  • Ensures maximum comfort during your entire night’s sleep.
  • Energy consumption is reduced, helping save power and money.

What AC Modes Does My Unit Have and When Should I Use Them?

If you have any questions about the best setting for air conditioner units, our friendly team is on hand to help. Just give us a call!

Whichever setting you use, AC units work best and most efficiently when they’re properly maintained. D&D AC repair, Sarasota offers affordable maintenance services that can be scheduled at a time that suits you.

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