It’s late February and for many Australians, it feels like peak summer hasn’t let up. With temperatures pushing 35°C in some areas, air conditioners are working overtime – and so are electricity bills.
While it’s tempting to blast the cool setting all day, there’s a lesser-known feature on most air-conditioning units that could help you stay comfortable while cutting energy costs: dry mode.
What Is Air Conditioner Dry Mode?
Dry mode is usually marked by a water droplet symbol on your remote (cool mode is typically a snowflake).
Unlike cool mode, dry mode doesn’t pump out cold air continuously. Instead, it works by reducing humidity in the room.
Humidity plays a huge role in how hot we feel. A room at 25°C with high humidity can feel closer to 30°C. That sticky, heavy sensation isn’t always about heat – it’s about moisture in the air.
Dry mode removes that excess moisture, making the room feel cooler and far more comfortable.
This is particularly helpful in humid regions such as Queensland, including Brisbane, where moisture levels can remain high for much of the year.
How Dry Mode Saves on Power Bills
Dry mode works a bit like a dehumidifier:
The fan pulls humid air through the unit
Moisture condenses inside the system
Drier air is released back into the room
The key difference? The compressor doesn’t run as aggressively as it does in full cooling mode.
When you set your thermostat to around 25°C, dry mode helps maintain that temperature efficiently. Once the desired temperature is reached, the system cycles off. It only switches back on when the temperature rises slightly.
That controlled cycling can significantly reduce energy consumption compared to running cool mode at 21–22°C all day.
And here’s the big one:
For every degree lower you set your air conditioner below 24°C, energy use can jump dramatically. Holding steady at 25°C in dry mode avoids that spike.
When Should You Use Dry Mode?
Dry mode is ideal when:
The air feels sticky or muggy
It’s humid but not unbearably hot
You want to reduce energy usage
You’re running the unit for extended periods
It won’t chill a room like cool mode does – but it will make the space feel fresher and more comfortable without the icy blast.
The Bottom Line
If your power bill is climbing as fast as the temperature, dry mode could be your late-summer lifesaver. By reducing humidity instead of aggressively cooling the air, you can stay comfortable, protect your wallet and keep your home feeling fresh – even during peak air-conditioning season.