Most Melbournians are doing one common thing at this time of year. That is switching from heating to cooling as winters have officially left the air and summer is yet to come. Spring is finally here. The mornings are still crisp, but by midday, you’re starting to feel that familiar warmth creeping in. It’s that awkward in-between season where you don’t quite know what to wear and your air conditioner doesn’t know what mode to be in either.
If you’ve been running your reverse cycle system on heat all winter, it is the best time to turn off heating, switch mode and prepare your system for next endeavour. But here’s the thing: switching from heating to cooling isn’t always as obvious as it sounds. Different brands hide the mode button in different places, and the icons on your remote can look like a foreign language.
So let’s keep it simple. Here’s how to switch your air con from heating to cooling, no matter what brand you’ve got.
The General Rule (Works for Most Systems)
Before we get into brand specifics, here’s the universal method that works for about 90% of systems:
- Grab your remote control. Make sure it has working batteries.
- Turn the unit on. Press the power button.
- Find the MODE button. It's usually labelled "MODE" or has a symbol that looks like a series of squares or lines.
- Press MODE repeatedly. Each press cycles through the available modes. Watch the display as you press. You'll see icons change.
- Stop when you see the snowflake ❄️. That's cooling mode. A sun ☀️ means heating. A water drop 💧 means dry mode. A fan symbol means fan-only.
- Set your temperature. Once you're in cooling mode, use the temperature up/down buttons to set your desired cool temperature, usually somewhere between 22°C and 24°C for most homes.
That’s it. Simple, right? But if you’ve got a specific brand, here are the little quirks to watch out for.
Daikin: Look for the Snowflake
Daikin remotes are pretty straightforward, but there’s one thing to know.
On most Daikin systems, you’ll find an operation mode selector button (sometimes labelled MODE). Press it several times to cycle through the options. The display will show you which mode you’re in. Keep pressing until you see the snowflake icon ❄️ for cooling.
If your Daikin system has a physical cool/heat changeover switch (usually on the unit itself or a wall-mounted controller), set it to the cooling position. Then press the ON/OFF button to start it up.
Quick tip: If your Daikin remote has a “COOL/HEAT” selector rather than a MODE button, just flick that switch to cool and you’re done.
Fujitsu: Master Control Button
Fujitsu systems use a slightly different approach. Instead of a MODE button, look for the MASTER CONTROL button (sometimes labelled “MODE” on newer models).
Press it repeatedly, and the mode will cycle through: AUTO → COOL → DRY → FAN → HEAT
Stop when you land on COOL. Then press the START/STOP button to begin operation.
If your Fujitsu is an older model, you might need to press START/STOP first, then use MASTER CONTROL to select the mode.
Mitsubishi: Mode Button Cycle
Mitsubishi Electric systems work much like the general rule. Press the MODE button to cycle through: AUTO → COOL → DRY → HEAT
Stop when you see COOL on the display. Then use the temperature buttons to set your desired cool temperature.
One thing to note: if your Mitsubishi is in AUTO mode, it will automatically switch between heating and cooling based on the room temperature – it decides for you. If you want full control, manually select COOL mode instead of relying on AUTO.
Panasonic: Mode Selector Button
Panasonic remotes typically have a MODE selector button (often labelled with a symbol or just “MODE”).
Press it to cycle through: AUTO → HEAT → COOL → DRY
Stop when you reach COOL. That’s your cooling mode.
If your Panasonic system has a physical cool/heat changeover switch on the unit or a wall controller, set it to the cooling position and then press ON/OFF.
Samsung: Press Mode
Samsung air conditioners are dead simple. Press the MODE button to change between Auto, Cool, Dry, Fan, and Heat.
Stop when you see Cool on the display. Then adjust your temperature and fan speed as needed.
LG: MODE Button
LG systems follow the same pattern. Press the MODE button to select cooling mode. The display will show you which mode you’re in – just cycle through until you land on cooling.
What If Your Remote Doesn't Have a MODE Button?
Some older or basic systems have a simple cool/heat selector switch instead of a mode button. This might be:
- A physical switch on the remote
- A switch on the wall-mounted controller
- A switch on the indoor unit itself
Just flick it from “HEAT” to “COOL” and you’re sorted.
A Quick Note Before You Start
Before you make the switch from heating to cooling, take two seconds to:
- Check your air filter. If it's clogged with winter dust, your cooling won't be as effective. Give it a quick clean or replace it.
- Clear the outdoor unit. Make sure there's no debris, leaves, or spider webs blocking the outdoor condenser. Spring is prime time for critters to move in.
- Test it early. Don't wait for the first 35-degree day to find out your system isn't cooling properly. Test it now, while you've got time to book a service if needed.
Still Stuck?
If you’ve pressed every button on your remote and nothing seems to work, don’t stress. Different models have slightly different interfaces, and some commercial or ducted systems use wall controllers that work differently to split system remotes.
Your best bet? Grab your user manual. Every system is a little different, and the manual will have a diagram showing exactly which button does what.
Or, if you’d rather just get it sorted by someone who knows what they’re doing, give us a call. At Surrey Air, we’ve been helping Victorians switch their systems over for years and we’re always happy to walk you through it or come out and give your system a spring check-up while we’re at it.
Summer’s coming. Don’t get caught out. Switch your system from heating to cooling now, and you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when the heat finally arrives.
