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Daikin Air Conditioner Reviews | Consumer Ratings
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Daikin offers air conditioners for residential applications in the capacity range from 2 to 5 tons. They have been a proven leader in refrigeration and increasing efficiency with air conditioners and heat pumps. They were the innovators behind VRV or VRF technology that is being used in more and more air conditioners heat pumps. VRV or VRF stands for Variable Refrigerant Volume or Variable Refrigerant Flow respectively. VRV and VRF are pretty much one and the same with the only difference being the name. A VRV or VRF system will modulate the compressor based on demand. Modulating the system has been proven to save energy and the life of the equipment.
Daikin Air Conditioner Reviews | Consumer Ratings - Features
Daikin’s top-of-the-line air conditioner offers 23 SEER which is pretty close to what others have for their premium units now. Daikin also has mid-grade models and economy models for those on a budget. Various features of Daikin air conditioning systems include:
- High-efficiency two-stage scroll compressor in select Daikin air conditioners
- Uses chlorine-free R-410A refrigerant
- Select units are EnergyStar rated
- Powered by a Daikin brand variable-speed scroll compressor in select Daikin models
- 500-hour salt-spray tested in select units
- Diagnostic features with fault code storage for better air conditioner troubleshooting
- Engineered to reduce operating noise levels with sound levels down to 58 decibels
- ECM variable-speed outdoor fan motor in select models
- 12-Year Unit Replacement Limited Warranty and 12-Year Parts Limited Warranty for select Daikin air conditioners
Daikin Top SEER Rating
Daikin Air Conditioner Reviews | Consumer Ratings - Additional Information
Daikin’s warranty seems to be slightly better than other manufacturers with only a few other manufacturers matching the 12-year warranty. Always remember to register the warranty within the deadline period after installation is complete. Otherwise, the manufacturer has no obligation to honor the warranty. Some people have learned this the hard way and then cussed out the manufacturer. I know, I get emails from people about this and some reviews indicate this problem. In that case, can’t really blame the manufacturer.
| Daikin Air Conditioner Model Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| DX20VC Series (Premium Model) | DX16TC Series (Mid-Range Model) | DX13SN Series (Economy Model) |
| Up to 23 SEER Performance | Up to 17 SEER Performance | Up to 14 SEER Performance |
| 12-Year Unit Replacement Limited Warranty and 12-Year Parts Limited Warranty | 12-Year Unit Replacement Limited Warranty and 12-Year Parts Limited Warranty | 12-Year Parts Limited Warranty |
| High-efficiency ECM condenser fan motor | High-efficiency PSC or ECM condenser fan motor | Single-speed condenser fan motor |
| Daikin variable-speed swing and scroll compressors | Two-Stage Copeland® UltraTech scroll compressor | Energy-efficient compressor |
| Heavy-gauge galvanized-steel cabinet with grille-style sound control top design | Heavy-gauge galvanized-steel cabinet with grille-style sound control top design | Heavy-gauge galvanized-steel cabinet with louvered sound control top |
| Diagnostic indicator lights, seven-segment LED display, and fault code storage | In communicating mode, two low-voltage wires to outdoor unit required | Advanced diagnostics not indicated |
| Refrigeration-grade premium 7mm copper tubing and aluminum fin condenser coil | Copper tube / aluminum fin condenser coil | Copper tube/aluminum fin coil |
| Single-panel access to controls with space provided for field-installed accessories | Single-panel access to controls with space provided for field-installed accessories | Single-panel access to controls with space provided for field-installed accessories |
| Select sizes meet ENERGY STAR Air Conditioner qualifications | Meets ENERGY STAR Air Conditioner qualifications | N/A |
Prices and ROI | Daikin Air Conditioner Reviews
Furthermore, remember the models compared above represent one top tier model, one mid-range model, and one economy model. The dollar amount for the units is in line with the ranges in the models. The higher the SEER range you buy the more it will cost you. Prices vary based on regions and other factors including contractor pricing so it’s nearly impossible to give prices for a newly installed air conditioner with a matching heating system.
What’s your opinion? Make a review today. If you own a Daikin and are happy with it we would love to hear from you. It helps others make buying decisions.
Additionally, speaking of warranties. Always check to see if the manufacturer has an extended part and labor warranty. If you are buying mid-grade to top-tier equipment I recommend you purchase that warranty (if available). Finally, no matter the brand or the type of equipment you purchase, the best you can get is only as good as the installing contractor. Make sure you get a qualified and competent contractor to install the system.
Air Conditioner Pricing, Efficiency, and Return On Investment Factors
| Pricing Versus Efficiency Return On Investment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Pricing Range for Initial Purchase and Subsequent Repairs outside of Warranty | ROI (Return On Investment) |
| 19 SEER Plus | $$$$$ | 5 to 7 years depending on efficiency* |
| 15 to 18 SEER | $$$ | 7 to 10 years depending on efficiency* |
| 13 to 14 SEER | $ | Over 10 years* |
| *Many factors depend on ROI such as house insulation, personal usage preferences, duct work integrity, and other basic efficiency factors. SEER level efficiency is very important to ROI. The higher the SEER, the quicker the return. | ||
Warranties
Daikin does have a warranty for their air conditioners that are above average. Most HVAC manufacturers offer a 10-year limited parts warranty. However, Daikin’s warranty runs for 12 years. Remember, the warranty only covers parts and not labor. Always ask for a labor warranty (if available). A labor warranty will cost you extra but for the higher-end, high-efficiency air conditioners, it’s worth it. These premium models are more complex and require a skilled technician to troubleshoot if problems arise. Additionally, make sure to read the fine print and register the warranty within the manufacturer’s time frame.
About Daikin
Daikin began in 1924 manufacturing radiator tubes for aircraft. In 1938 they branched out and got into refrigeration providing refrigeration units for the Japanese Navy. In the 50’s Daikin introduced their first air conditioners. As they grew so did Daikin’s innovation for various comfort and industrial cooling systems. In 2012, Daikin purchased Goodman Manufacturing out of Houston, Texas.
Finally, a few words about the video. It appears to be too close to the house. Most manufacturers require a minimum of 18 inches of space installed from the house. Of course, that would be difficult because of the property line. The property line is another issue. In most municipalities, if you install any type of unit within 10 feet of the property line you have to get prior approval from the AHJ or code authorities. Don’t know if the contractor did that or got approval from the manufacturer to install the unit within the 18-inch minimum. I don’t know the situation or conditions but I would have recommended to the homeowner to install the unit in another location.
See our other Daikin Reviews here - Daikin Heat Pump Reviews | Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews | Daikin Package Unit Reviews
Daikin Air Conditioner Reviews | Consumer Ratings
My experience has shown that Diakin HVAC’s are not reliable and repairs are outrageous. We installed one in 2018 ($10,000+ with 12 years warranty) for a new addition in the house, and one in Oct 2022 for the original part of the house ($9,000+ with 12 years warranty). Both units leaked gas, thermostats stopped working, the motherboard in the older unit stopped working after 4 years, our total repair costs are over $5,000 so far… why? Because Daikin’s equipment uses substandard materials which do not last, so while the warranty covered the cost of the parts, the cost to have the AC tech out to diagnose the issue, order parts, come back out to replace, in the interim costs for replacing the gas multiple times in both units while waiting for the new coils, all added up really fast. And that does not include the $565 in extra electricity used by the AC’s trying to cool the house with little gas… In other words, I could have installed lower priced other manufactured units completely replacing the AC 5 times and broke even on the costs. I have NO idea what I paid for. I do NOT Recommend this unit. Just buy an Rheem, less to break, easier to fix, cheaper to replace by far than this was! As far as the savings on electricity, it never pays, it’s going to break before it comes close so that is not a reason to pay more for these units.
They want to repair a leak and in order to know where the leak is they have to break down the wall of my home but they will not repair any damage they did to the building. It will be our problem to fix this and daikin will not take responsibility for any damage they do to the wall even though it’s intentionally done by them.
I have multiple daikin a/c split units (2) 1.5hp and 1 3hp. Every time the units are cleaned shortly after the cleaning by Daikin service techs in Manila one or more units break costing almost as much as it would to replace the a/c.
Is this normal for the units made by Daikin or are the service techs intentionally cause a problem so the company in Manila can make more money?
Never had issues with any other brand of units and wonder if Daikin Philippines is scamming customers?
I work for a company that offers Daikin products. This is not to say some claims I have read are not true. The fact is that the majority of complaints I have read on this thread are completely related to poor sizing of equipment, poor installation or factors not addressed outside of the equipments ability to resolve. To my consumers out there, it is far more important to vet your contractors more so than vetting equipment. Installation and regular maintenance of any brand of HVAC equipment is by far the single most important factor to the longevity and performance of said equipment. I have a full Daikin system installed in my home, it works flawless, has never failed and does everything the manufacturer claims it is capable of doing. Why? It was installed by professionals and maintained by professionals.