Turbo / Powerful
A short burst at maximum fan speed and compressor output to reach the set temperature as fast as the unit can.
What pressing it does
Press it in cool or heat. Daikin runs at maximum capacity for 20 minutes, Mitsubishi Electric for 15 minutes, then both return to the previous settings; Panasonic keeps it on until you press it again or switch off. While it runs Samsung locks the set temperature and fan speed.
What it does not do
It does not add capacity the unit does not have: Daikin says POWERFUL will not increase the capacity if the unit is already running at its maximum.
Makes differ, check your unit’s manual: the same drawing can mean different things on different brands, and only your model’s manual says exactly what a button does and which modes it works in.
- What it looks like
- A fan or arrow with speed lines, a figure running, or just the word TURBO, POWERFUL or Fast.
- Names makers use
- TURBO (Midea, Gree); POWERFUL (Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic); Fast (Samsung)
Where makers differ
Time limits differ (20 min Daikin, 15 min Mitsubishi Electric, none on Panasonic); Gree describes it as very high fan speed; Samsung calls it Fast and cancels Eco, Quiet and good’sleep when it starts.
Often confused with
The indoor fan runs at its lowest, quietest speed, and on some makes the compressor is held back too, to cut noise.
Other symbols with the same shapes
Sources
No single published standard defines air-conditioner remote icons, so this meaning is taken from 5 makers’ own manuals, each fetched and read on the date shown:
- Daikin: Daikin web operation manual — POWERFUL operation — “POWERFUL operation quickly maximises the cooling effect … operates at maximum capacity … ends in 20 minutes … will not increase the capacity … if the air conditioner is already in operation with its maximum capacity demonstrated.” Checked 2026-09-26.
- Mitsubishi Electric: Mitsubishi Electric — MSZ-LN indoor unit service manual OBH766 revised edition B (PDF, UK library) — “POWERFUL operation … adjusts the fan speed and the set temperature … cancelled automatically 15 minutes after operation starts.” Checked 2026-09-26.
- Midea: Midea — Remote controller owner’s manual, RG51A(2)/E and RG51B(2)/E (PDF) — TURBO: “Enables unit to reach preset temperature in shortest possible time.” Checked 2026-09-26.
- Samsung: Samsung — Wind-Free 2.0 air conditioner user manual, AR**TSFA*** (PDF on Samsung HVAC’s document store) — Fast function: “the most powerful cooling and heating function … You can select this function in Cool or Heat mode … you cannot change the set temperature and the fan speed.” Checked 2026-09-26.
- Panasonic: Panasonic — Operating instructions, CS-Z*AKUAW air conditioner (North America, PDF) — POWERFUL “To reach the desired temperature quickly … continues until it is cancelled by pressing again … or turn OFF the unit.” Checked 2026-09-26.
Written in our own words; quotations are the makers’ wording.