After purchasing and installing a split system, you often need to set up the air conditioner. Unfortunately, not every device is equipped with the I FEEL mode or other functions for intelligent setting selection. Therefore, you will have to manually adjust the air conditioner.

In this article, kan-service.com will tell you how to set up an air conditioner without outside help if you do not have a manual and what you should pay attention to not waste a lot of time and effort in vain.

Brief instructions for quick setup

Using the remote control
If you do not have time to delve into the intricacies of setting up air conditioning systems, our simple instructions will suit most unpretentious users.

Point the remote control towards the wall unit and press the “ON / OFF” button. If the air conditioner works properly, it will emit a beep, and a green LED will light up on its body.

Most air conditioners automatically set the temperature to +25 degrees and the air cooling mode after switching on. If you are satisfied with these parameters, then the setup is complete.

By the way! The choice of temperature does not depend on the air conditioner’s power. However, the weather outside is very important: do not turn on the device at 30 degrees Celsius if it is a scorching summer outside.

Want to make more detailed adjustments? You can increase or decrease the temperature using the ┿/— or ▲/▼ buttons. You can select another operating mode using the “MODE” button. Let’s look at this in more detail.

The “MODE” button switches preset operating modes and works sequentially. That is, each time you press it, one of the modes is turned on. Their sequence may differ depending on the manufacturer but often looks like this: automatic mode (AUTO) → cooling (COOL or snowflake icon) → drying (DRY) → heating (HEAT or sun icon) → ventilation (FAN or fan icon).

After pressing the “MODE” button, the operating modes change on the remote control display. As we discussed above, they are indicated by an inscription or a pictogram.

On some remote controls, the cooling and heating modes are located on separate buttons (COOL and HEAT, respectively), simplifying and speeding up the adjustment.

The basic setting also includes adjusting the direction of airflow. If you feel that the air conditioner is blowing in your face or feet, press the “SWING” button. After pressing, you will see how the “blinds” of the wall unit begin to move, and at the same time, you will feel a change in the airflow. Press the button again when you are satisfied with the position of the “blinds.” They will be fixed in their position.

Using the emergency button

Each air conditioner is equipped with an emergency button. You should not use it regularly; that’s its purpose. But you can use this method if you find yourself in a hotel where the remote control is irretrievably lost.

Remove the decorative cover from the wall-mounted unit of the air conditioner. It is attached to the unit with special latches that can be opened manually. In some cases, the cover may be screwed on with screws.

After removing the cover, carefully examine the lower right part of the unit. You should find a small button without visible markings. Often, it is recessed inside; you will need a thin, hard object to press it.

Turning on the air conditioner without a remote control

Did you find the button? Great! Now, you will have to stock up on time and patience. Press the button one time. If the air conditioner is working properly, it will emit a beep. Wait a while (usually no more than 10 minutes) to feel what operating mode is currently set.

Most air conditioners turn on the automatic mode after pressing the emergency button. But in some devices, you can separately turn on cooling or heating if you press the button again, according to the principle of the “MODE” button, which we discussed earlier.

If, after the first press, you feel that the set mode does not suit you, press the button again and wait again for the device to start working at full power. Experiment until you find the optimal settings.

Unfortunately, you cannot adjust other parameters using the emergency button. You can only turn on and select the operating mode, and the device will automatically select the other parameters.
 

Additional settings
 Above, we talked about the basic settings. It will satisfy most users’ requirements, but picky users can familiarize themselves with additional functions. Their list and names may differ depending on the manufacturer. The settings are made using the remote control:

FAN SPEED — adjusting the ventilation speed in the “FAN” mode. After each press of the “FAN SPEED” button, the speed will increase in the following sequence: LOW (low) → MEDIUM (medium) → HIGH (high) → AUTO. Information about the selected speed is displayed on the remote control.
SLEEP — night mode. The air temperature automatically decreases by several degrees, returning to the original parameters by the morning. According to the manufacturers, sleep quality improves in such conditions. Also, in the “SLEEP” mode, the air conditioner makes less noise. Press the button once to turn on the function and a second time to turn it off.

TURBO or POWERFUL is an intensive operating mode. After pressing the button, cooling or heating will be noticeably faster. Press the button once to turn on the function and a second time to turn it off.
TIMER — timer setting. This function can be implemented differently in each air conditioner. Read our instructions below to learn more about it.
Read also: TIMER on an air conditioner: Why is it needed, and how do I set it up?

LIGHT—The backlight on the wall unit is always on by default, which can cause discomfort if the air conditioner is installed in the bedroom. Press the button once to turn off the backlight and a second time to turn it on.
CLEAN—Cleaning the internal components of the split system from excess moisture. In practice, this does not work efficiently enough; in any case, additional maintenance and manual drainage of condensate will be required.
PLASMA or HEALTH — additional air purification mode from microbes and allergens. Press the button once to turn on the function and a second time to turn it off.
I-FEEL is an intelligent operating mode in which the temperature is adjusted more precisely than in the standard automatic mode. This is a useful function for those who do not want to adjust the temperature manually. Press the button once to turn on the function and a second time to turn it off.
SET—saves previously set settings. It must be pressed after adjusting the timer parameters in most cases.
LOCK—Locks the remote control buttons from being accidentally pressed. This is a must for those who have small children or active pets. Press the button once to turn on the function and a second time to turn it off.

RESET — reset all previously set settings. Usually, this button is very small or recessed into the remote control body so that you do not press it accidentally.

Should a homeowner balance their system themselves?
 There are many tasks that homeowners can do themselves to save money. However, HVAC system balancing is best left to the professionals. The key reason is experience. HVAC professionals regularly deal with different systems and can identify problems that they have seen before.

This experience means faster service and more reliable results. It also means that they can spot problems that you may not be able to see since they have balanced many other systems. One of the biggest reasons why professionals should do this job

is the equipment that is required.

To properly balance a heating system or HVAC, contact a professional and schedule a time to balance the system. Remember, if done correctly, there is a chance that it will not need to be rebalanced.