If your Fujitsu heat pump remote has a button, symbol, or flashing light you do not recognise, this guide covers it. Every mode, every Fujitsu-specific function, and what to do when the unit behaves in a way you did not expect.
This guide covers the current Fujitsu ASTG weekly timer remote, identified by its digital navigation buttons (SELECT, NEXT, BACK, SEND) and seven-day scheduling system. If your remote has a TIMER MODE button with plus and minus adjustment buttons instead, you have the older Simple Timer remote used on the ASTG-LVCC series and earlier models. The mode symbols, Economy mode, and flashing light sections of this guide apply to both remotes. The timer programming steps and filter reset instructions differ between the two, check your specific manual for those steps.
For a full cross-brand comparison covering all major heat pump brands sold in NZ, see the heat pump remote symbols NZ guide.
Fujitsu uses plain text labels for its main modes rather than icons. Where other brands show a sun for heat or a snowflake for cool, the Fujitsu display reads HEAT, COOL, DRY, FAN, or AUTO. The remote still uses symbols for other functions, and a few of Fujitsu's specific behaviours are different enough from other brands to be worth knowing before something surprises you.
One key difference: Fujitsu has a recessed RESET button on the front face of the remote, under the slide-down cover panel. After replacing the batteries, the remote will not function correctly until you press that button with the tip of a ballpoint pen. It is a step that is easy to skip. If the remote is still behaving strangely after a battery change, this is almost always why.
A note on branding: Fujitsu General New Zealand changed its trading name to GENERAL in 2026, with the product range now marketed as Airstage. The company, warranty terms, and support are unchanged. If you are finding GENERAL or Airstage branding where you expected Fujitsu, your unit is the same product.
The MODE button cycles through the available modes in a fixed order: AUTO, COOL, DRY, FAN, HEAT. Each press moves to the next mode in the sequence.
HEAT — Runs the system in heating mode. The display shows the target temperature you set. Use this mode through winter rather than leaving the unit on AUTO.
COOL — Runs the system in cooling mode. Sets a temperature ceiling the unit works to maintain.
AUTO — The unit selects heating or cooling automatically based on room temperature and your set point. AUTO mode can produce unexpected results in NZ conditions, particularly in spring and autumn when outdoor temperatures shift mid-day. If the room warms naturally above your set point, the unit switches to cooling. Locking the mode manually to HEAT or COOL gives more predictable results.
DRY — Runs at low fan speed to remove moisture from the air. The fan speed cannot be adjusted manually in this mode. Dry mode produces a cooling side-effect, which makes it unsuitable for cold NZ winters. It will make the room colder, not just drier. For a full explanation of when dry mode is and is not useful in NZ conditions, see Heat pump dry mode explained NZ.
FAN — Circulates air without heating or cooling. The temperature display disappears from the remote screen in this mode because temperature cannot be adjusted.
The Fujitsu remote LCD shows a small triangle or signal wave icon that flashes briefly each time a command is sent. Point the remote directly at the unit when you change any setting. If you change a setting while pointing away from the unit, the remote screen updates but the unit does not. The two then show different information, which you might read as the unit being faulty.
Other display indicators:
SWING — Appears when the automatic louver sweep is active.
LOW NOISE — Appears when the outdoor unit low noise function is running. This button is present on current weekly timer remotes only.
ENERGY SAVING — Appears when the Human Sensor is active and monitoring the room. This function is present on current weekly timer remotes only
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WEEKLY / ON / OFF / SLEEP — Text indicators showing which timer functions are currently engaged.
The clock display shows AM/PM time alongside abbreviated day labels: MO, TU, WE, TH, FR, SA, SU.
The ECONOMY button reduces power consumption by automatically shifting the thermostat baseline. In cooling mode, the unit runs the room slightly warmer than your set temperature. In heating mode, slightly cooler. It does not simply cap compressor output the way some other brands do.
On very cold or very hot days, Economy mode may mean the room does not reach your set temperature at all. If you notice the unit running continuously without reaching the temperature displayed, turn Economy off to allow the compressor to run at full output.
Leaving Economy on during mild weather is fine and will reduce running costs. Economy mode is available on both current and older Fujitsu wireless remotes.
A blinking ECONOMY lamp on the indoor unit is a filter clean reminder. It is not a fault. Fujitsu uses the Economy lamp for this function rather than a dedicated filter indicator light.
On current weekly timer remotes, clean the filters and then press the MANUAL AUTO button on the indoor unit for less than two seconds to reset the lamp. On older Simple Timer remotes with a dedicated FILTER RESET button on the remote face, press that button instead.
If you hold the MANUAL AUTO button for more than 10 seconds, you activate Forced Cooling mode, a diagnostic function for service technicians that bypasses the thermostat. That is not what you want.
All three lamps flashing rapidly together is the most important pattern to know. If the OPERATION, TIMER, and ECONOMY lamps are all flashing fast at the same time, that indicates a serious system fault. Switch the unit off at the wall, wait 30 seconds, and switch it back on. If the pattern continues, the unit needs a technician.
Fujitsu uses three lamps (OPERATION, TIMER, and ECONOMY) for all other status signals:
OPERATION lamp blinking alone means the unit is running a defrost or oil recovery cycle. Heating output stops temporarily. This is normal and takes several minutes. Do not turn the unit off during this cycle.
OPERATION and TIMER lamps blinking alternately means the unit has just recovered from a power outage. It is resuming its previous settings.
The remote display may show Er or EE on the temperature screen during a critical fault. This requires an authorised technician to diagnose.
The unit automatically resets the vertical louver from positions 4 through 7 back to position 3 after approximately 30 minutes during cooling or dry mode. This is not a malfunction. At those lower angles, condensation forms on the louver surface and drips. The unit corrects the position to prevent water damage to furniture below.
Do not adjust the louvers by hand. They are motorised, and manual adjustment breaks or desynchronises the gears. Use the SET button on the remote to move them.
The SENSOR button activates the Human Sensor function, shown on the display as ENERGY SAVING. This feature is available on current ASTG weekly timer remotes. It is not present on older Simple Timer remotes.
The sensor monitors the room for movement using an infrared thermal detector. If no one enters the room for approximately 20 minutes, it automatically reduces operating power and shifts the set temperature. When someone returns, it reverts immediately to the original settings.
If the room is only occupied part of the day, leave the Human Sensor on. If the unit is outputting less heat or running below the level you set when you return to a room, the Human Sensor is likely the reason.
The 10°C HEAT button runs the system at just enough output to hold the room at 10°C. It is designed for unoccupied periods in winter: background warmth that keeps pipes from freezing and stops rooms from getting extremely cold before you return home.
The 10°C HEAT function will not make a cold room comfortable. Use HEAT mode for that.
The Fujitsu ASTG series has built-in compatibility with electricity grid Demand Response programmes. If your electricity retailer has enrolled you in a DR scheme, the retailer can send a signal to the unit. The unit then reduces its output or enters standby during peak grid load events.
This happens automatically and without any action from you. If your unit appears to stop heating or cooling properly during a peak period, check whether your retailer has an active DR event before assuming the unit is faulty.
The Fujitsu weekly timer allows up to four programmes per day across all seven days. Programming uses a menu-driven sequence: TIMER SETTING to open, SELECT to choose day and time, NEXT to advance through steps, and SEND to transmit to the unit. That last step is the one people miss. If you do not press SEND, the schedule is not saved to the unit regardless of what the remote display shows.
The standard Fujitsu ASTG remote manuals do not contain any FGLair app setup instructions. Wifi connectivity on compatible models is handled through a separate wifi adapter module, not through the remote itself.
If your unit is wifi-compatible, the FGLair app connects via 2.4GHz wifi only. Five GHz networks are not supported for setup. The app gives you remote control, scheduling, and energy monitoring from your phone, which you may find more convenient than programming the timer on the remote.
For FGLair setup steps, the Fujitsu NZ website and the app itself provide current instructions. These are updated more frequently than printed manuals.
When the remote battery runs flat and you replace it, the remote will not function correctly until you press the RESET button. It is a recessed button on the front face of the remote, under the slide-down cover panel. Use the tip of a ballpoint pen to press it. Replacing the batteries also clears all settings, including any timer programmes you have saved.
The remote display will dim when batteries are low. This is often the first sign rather than the remote stopping completely.
If the remote is not sending commands after a battery change and you have already pressed RESET, check that the remote is pointed directly at the unit when you press buttons. The receiver on the indoor unit can be blocked by direct sunlight, flat-panel screens, or certain fluorescent lights.
Fujitsu's documentation states directly: "If dirt is allowed to accumulate on the air filter, air flow will be reduced, lowering operating efficiency and increasing noise." The same documentation notes that extended use without maintenance allows dirt to accumulate inside the unit, reducing performance in ways filter cleaning cannot address.
To clean standard Fujitsu mesh filters: open the front panel and slide the filters out. Vacuum off loose dust first, then rinse under lukewarm water from the clean side through to the dirty side. If heavily soiled, wash gently with mild detergent and rinse thoroughly. Shake off excess water and dry completely in shade before reinstalling. Never refit a damp filter.
The ASTG operation manual recommends cleaning filters every two weeks during regular use, and every three months for occasional use. Clean more frequently if you have pets, high dust levels, or notice reduced performance.
Some higher-specification Fujitsu models also include a plasma ionisation filter. This filter requires periodic replacement, not just cleaning. A standard filter clean will not restore a degraded plasma filter to full function. If your unit has this feature, the filter condition should be assessed as part of any professional service visit.
Fujitsu's own documentation is specific: "When used for extended periods, the unit may accumulate dirt inside, reducing its performance." Filter cleaning handles what you can reach. The internal fan accumulates a layer of organic growth during cooling cycles. The internal coil collects debris that restricts airflow and forces the compressor to work harder than it should. Both are inaccessible without removing panels and using specialist cleaning equipment. GENERAL recommends a professional service every twelve months. A professional service cleans the components the filter cannot reach, checks refrigerant levels, inspects the drain system, and checks that the unit is running the way it should. For a full breakdown of what a Fujitsu service involves, including what the warranty actually covers, see the Fujitsu heat pump service NZ guide.
If you are not sure when your Fujitsu was last professionally serviced, the Home Energy Health Assessment at assessment.miht.co.nz takes about three minutes and gives you a clear picture of where your home energy systems stand.
A blinking Economy lamp is a filter clean reminder. On current weekly timer remotes, clean the filters and press the MANUAL AUTO button on the indoor unit for less than two seconds to reset it. On older Simple Timer remotes, press the dedicated FILTER RESET button on the remote face instead. Do not hold the MANUAL AUTO button for more than 10 seconds — that activates a diagnostic mode for service technicians.
After replacing batteries, you must press the recessed RESET button on the front face of the remote, under the slide-down cover panel, using the tip of a ballpoint pen. Without this step, the remote will not function correctly. Replacing batteries also clears all saved timer settings.
ENERGY SAVING indicates the Human Sensor is active. This feature is available on current ASTG weekly timer remotes. The sensor monitors the room for movement and if no one enters for approximately 20 minutes, the unit reduces its output automatically. It returns to normal settings when someone comes back.
If the vertical louver is in a downward position (4 through 7) during cooling or dry mode, the unit automatically moves it back to position 3 after approximately 30 minutes. This prevents condensation from forming on the louver surface and dripping onto furniture. It is a built-in protection, not a fault.
It maintains the room at 10°C when the house is unoccupied in winter. It is not a standard heating mode. It is a frost and cold protection function designed to prevent rooms from getting extremely cold during extended absences.
TEST RUN is a function for use by authorised service technicians only. On older Simple Timer remotes it appears as a recessed button on the remote face. On current weekly timer remotes it is not present on the wireless remote. If activated accidentally, it runs a diagnostic mode that ignores thermostat settings. Switch the unit off at the wall and back on to exit.
No. Fan speed is locked to low or auto when DRY mode is selected. The system sets the fan speed automatically to manage humidity removal. Manual fan adjustment is not available in this mode.
WEEKLY indicates the weekly timer programme is active on current ASTG remotes. The display also shows abbreviated day labels and programme numbers. Up to four programmes per day can be set across the full week. Press SEND after programming to transmit the schedule to the unit. Without pressing SEND, the settings are not saved.
Fujitsu ASTG units have built-in compatibility with electricity retailer Demand Response programmes. If your retailer activates a DR event, the unit may automatically reduce its output or enter standby. This is controlled by the retailer, not by your remote.
The exact button combination varies by model. Check the button combination section of your specific Fujitsu remote manual for the correct method. Do not use a combination described for another brand, the steps differ across manufacturers.
Some higher-specification Fujitsu models include a plasma ionisation filter for air purification. Unlike standard filters, plasma filters require periodic replacement rather than cleaning. If your model has this feature, the filter condition should be checked during a professional service visit.
Yes. Fujitsu General New Zealand changed its trading name to GENERAL in 2026, with the product range now marketed as Airstage. The company, warranty terms, and support team are unchanged. If you are finding GENERAL or Airstage branding where you expected Fujitsu, your unit and warranty are still fully supported.
If your remote has digital navigation buttons labelled SELECT, NEXT, BACK, and SEND, you have the current weekly timer remote used on ASTG-KUCA, ASTG-LUCB, and ASTG-KMTC series units. If your remote has a TIMER MODE button with plus and minus adjustment buttons, you have the older Simple Timer remote used on ASTG-LVCC series and earlier models. The mode symbols and Economy mode work the same on both. Timer programming and filter reset differ between the two.
This guide covers symbols and functions across current and older Fujitsu wireless remotes. For symbols common across all heat pump brands, see the heat pump remote symbols NZ guide.