Different Modes in Air Conditioner
Air conditioner has more to offer than just the on-off switch. With Singapore’s year-round heat and humidity, understanding your aircon’s different modes can help you stay comfortable while cutting down electricity bills significantly.
Most modern air conditioners come with several built-in modes cool, auto, eco, turbo, sleep, and fan. Each mode adjusts cooling power, fan speed, and energy consumption differently to suit various situations. Yet many homeowners stick to the default setting simply because they don’t know what the other buttons do.
Using the right mode at the right time can cool your room faster, improve sleep quality, and reduce energy costs. Let’s explore each aircon mode and how to use them effectively.
Aircon Cool Mode
The aircon cool mode is the default mode. It will automatically adjust the air direction and air speed according to the temperature you set. This mode is suitable when you do not wish to keep changing the aircon settings.
When using this mode, the air conditioner will automatically adjust the air flow and temperature to create a comfortable environment. You can also adjust the temperature with your aircon remote control. To start using this mode, simply press the on or cool button on your remote control once.
Best Time to Use Cool Mode
- When you want consistent cooling throughout the day without constantly adjusting settings
- During moderate weather when the room temperature isn’t extremely hot
- Perfect for daily use when you’re working from home and need steady, comfortable cooling
- When you prefer to manually control the exact temperature rather than letting the aircon decide
Aircon Auto Mode
Auto mode is the most efficient aircon mode as it uses the least energy. It is also the healthiest aircon mode as it prevents the growth of mould and bacteria.
Aircon auto mode is the perfect mode if you want to save energy and keep your air conditioner clean and free from moulds and bacteria. Energy usage of this mode is lesser than aircon cool mode.
To start using aircon auto mode, simply press the button on your air conditioner’s remote control. Make sure that the air direction is set to auto. Then, select the temperature you want and press the cool or fan button. The air conditioner will automatically adjust the air flow and temperature for you.
Best Time to Use Auto Mode
- When you’re unsure which mode to choose and want the aircon to adjust automatically based on room temperature
- During unpredictable weather when temperatures fluctuate throughout the day
- Perfect for busy households where different family members have varying temperature preferences
- When you want a balance between comfort and energy efficiency without manual adjustments
Aircon Eco Mode
Aircon eco mode is a great choice if you want to save energy. It is also a good choice to improve the air quality in your surroundings since aircon mode can effectively prevent the growth of moulds and bacteria.
To start using aircon eco mode, simply press the button on your air conditioner remote control. The air conditioner will automatically switch to eco mode for you.
Eco mode is similar to aircon auto mode. However, in eco mode, the air conditioner will not cool the room down to a lower temperature. It will only cool the room to a comfortable level. This makes eco mode more energy efficient than aircon auto mode.
Best Time to Use Eco Mode
- During work-from-home days when the aircon runs for extended periods
- When you’re conscious about reducing monthly electricity bills
- Perfect for use in moderately warm weather when extreme cooling isn’t necessary
- Ideal for bedrooms during daytime when you want light cooling without excessive energy consumption
Aircon Turbo Mode

Turbo mode is the fastest aircon mode. It cools the room down quickly and efficiently. But it’ll cost you more in electric bills since it uses more energy.
To start using aircon turbo mode, simply press the turbo button on your air conditioner remote control. The air conditioner will automatically turn to turbo mode for you.
In turbo mode, the air conditioner will blow air at the highest speed. This makes it very effective in cooling down a room quickly. However, it may generate a lot of noise. So, if you want to use the aircon at night, we recommend that you turn off the turbo mode.
Best Time to Use Turbo Mode
- When you’ve just come home and need to cool down a hot room quickly
- Before guests arrive and you need the space comfortable in 10-15 minutes
- After cooking when the kitchen area has heated up significantly
- During Singapore’s hottest afternoon hours (2-4 PM) when initial cooling is needed, then switch to eco or auto mode
Aircon Sleep Mode
Sleep mode is a great choice if you want to save energy. Sleep mode works by gradually increasing the air conditioner’s temperature over a period of time. For example, if you set the sleep mode for 8 hours, the air conditioner will gradually increase the temperature over those 8 hours. This makes it more energy efficient than any other aircon modes. It’s also more comfortable since you won’t feel a sudden change in temperature when you wake up.
To set up aircon sleep mode, simply press the sleep button on your air conditioner remote control. Then, select the amount of time you want the air conditioner to run in sleep mode. We recommend that you set it for 8 hours so that you can save the most energy. After you’ve selected the amount of time, press the cool or fan button to start aircon sleep mode.
Best Time to Use Sleep Mode
- Every night before bed to ensure comfortable sleeping temperature throughout the night
- When you want gradual temperature adjustment that won’t wake you up with sudden cold
- Perfect for children’s rooms to prevent them from getting too cold while sleeping
- During afternoon naps when you need cooling for a specific duration without wasting energy
Aircon Fan Mode
Aircon fan mode is a great choice if you want to improve air quality or if you’re allergic to dust. Aircon fan mode will circulate air in the room and filter out dust particles. This makes it more effective than any other aircon modes in improving air quality.
In fan mode, the air conditioner will circulate air in the room, but not cool the air, so it uses lesser energy than other aircon modes. However, it is more effective in filtering out dust particles and improving air quality.
Best Time to Use Fan Mode
- During cooler evenings or early mornings when you need air circulation without cooling
- When Singapore’s weather is breezy and you just need to circulate the natural cool air
- Perfect for improving air quality by circulating air without the energy cost of cooling
- When the room is already cool but feels stuffy and needs fresh air movement
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right aircon mode can be confusing. But with this guide, you’ll be able to choose a mode that’s perfect for you. Aircon auto mode is a great choice if you want to save energy. If you want to save energy and improve air quality, aircon eco mode is a good choice. Aircon turbo mode is perfect for quickly cooling down a room. So, choose the aircon mode that’s best for you and enjoy comfortable air conditioning all year round!
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