Table of Contents
Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings. Daikin offers gas furnaces for residential applications in AFUE ratings from 80% to 98%. Their minimum efficiency gas furnace is a single-stage operation while the Daikin top-tier gas furnace has modulating operation. Economy models are available for those on a budget and those who do not care about their utility bills.
The top-tier Daikin gas furnace, while being costly for the upfront purchase, saves in the long run. Daikin’s top-tier gas furnace is economical to operate because of its modulating operation. It also offers a variable-speed blower for added efficiency. Furthermore, Daikin also has several mid-grade gas furnace units that offer a higher efficiency rating from the baseline 80 AFUE gas furnaces. Additionally, mid-grade units typically use two-stage operation.
Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings
Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews - The big difference between the lower-tier units and higher-tier units are the heat exchangers. For extra efficiency, the higher-grade units have secondary heat exchangers to absorb extra heat from the combustion gases before they are vented outside. Other things add to the efficiency of gas furnaces such as ECM variable-speed blower motors and variable speed inducer motors. Finally, from the lowest grade model to the highest, Daikin offers reliability, durability, and quality. Various features of select Daikin gas furnaces include:
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Daikin Gas Furnace Top AFUE
- Convenient left or right connection for gas and electrical connections. That makes installation easier.
- Silicon Nitride igniter in select Daikin gas furnaces
- Variable-speed induced draft blower in select units
- Diagnostic control board with constant memory fault code history. This feature helps with gas furnace troubleshooting in the event of a problem.
- Enhanced dehumidification modes available. This feature helps in the summer with a properly matched system and is available only in select units.
- Modulating gas valve for higher efficiency in select Daikin modulating gas furnaces
- Daikin has a stainless-steel primary and secondary heat exchanger in select units. That is a necessity as combustion gases are very corrosive.
- Select units Energy Star rated
- 12-Year Unit Replacement Limited Warranty and 12-Year Parts Limited Warranty in select units
Energy Efficiency and Gas Furnace AFUE
Just because you spend extra money to buy a high AFUE gas furnace does not mean you will have true energy efficiency. There are many factors to getting true energy efficiency. Among these factors are:
- Proper installation of the gas furnace
- Ductwork Integrity
- Home Insulation including energy-efficient doors and windows
- Home humidity levels
For more information see our article on Gas Furnace Efficiency Factors
Components Overview | Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews
Variable Speed Blower and Diagnostic Control Board | Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews
Pro
It is a soft-start and uses less electricity. It can be set to run at different speeds, depending on what else is going on. For example, for a modulating furnace, when the furnace is on low fire, the blower needs to be reduced. That makes it a perfect blower motor for demand-based furnaces such as modulating furnaces. Additionally, with a matched air conditioner and programmed properly, it can help dehumidify better in the summer. Finally, that keeps you cooler in the summer.
The diagnostic control board is helpful in many ways. It can help the homeowner figure out the problem. That can be good and bad, but it makes the technician’s job a little easier by showing the fault codes. That, on most diagnostic control boards, generates a flash code for furnace faults. Naturally, it makes the technician’s job easier because he has a history of faults to look at on the control board.
Con
If something goes wrong special diagnostic tools are needed to troubleshoot the problem. Perhaps one of the electronic components for the blower goes bad. It can be an expensive part if the warranty is expired. If it’s in warranty, you will likely have to pay for labor. Furthermore, most HVAC warranties only cover the part and not labor.
I see no cons for the diagnostic control board aside from an expensive repair if it goes bad out of warranty.
Modulating Gas Valve and Stainless Steel Heat Exchangers | Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews
Pro
All of Daikin’s high-efficiency gas furnaces have stainless steel heat exchangers. Furthermore, this is good for high-efficiency furnaces because they condense a lot of moisture. Finally, this moisture is corrosive, and stainless steel holds up well against corrosive liquids.
The modulating gas valve is only in the premium Daikin furnaces. The Daikin modulating current model list is as follows:
- DC96VC
- DM96VC
- DC97MC
- DM97MC
Modulation of the burners offers a higher level of comfort along with efficiency. That along with the variable-speed fan and can keep up with demand provided it is sized, set up, and installed properly. It is very important to get skilled HVAC installers when you buy premium models. Additionally, it’s a very good idea to check the ductwork for sizing requirements.
Cons
The stainless steel heat exchangers are on the high-efficiency models. Despite the ruggedness and durability of stainless steel, I would want a long-term warranty on the heat exchanger. Furthermore, many HVAC manufacturers offer 20-year and even lifetime warranties on heat exchangers.
The modulating gas valve adds a level of complexity to troubleshooting problems if something goes wrong. Therefore, it is necessary to have skilled technicians troubleshoot the problems if they arise.
Daikin One+ Smart Thermostat for Your New Gas Furnace
Daikin One+ is compatible with the following Daikin Gas Furnaces:
- DM97MC
- DC97MC
- DC96VC
- DM96VC
- DM80VC
- DC80VC
What is Daikin One+ and how does it work? The Daikin One+ is a smart thermostat that gives you WiFi capability through an app on your smartphone. That gives you remote monitoring and control abilities.
Leave the house for a long trip and forgot to change the thermostat setting? Change it to your desired setting anywhere you can connect to the internet. Coming home from a road trip and want to turn the HVAC system on so the house will be comfortable when you arrive?
Open the app a few hours out and set the HVAC system to your desired settings. It is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Daikin Gas Furnace Model Comparison Guide
| Daikin Gas Furnace Model Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| DM97MC Series (Premium Model) | DM92SE Series (Mid-Range Model) | DD80SS Series (Economy Model) |
| Efficiency up to 98% AFUE Rating | AFUE Rating up to 92% | AFUE Rating 80% |
| 12-Year Unit Replacement Limited Warranty and 12-Year Parts Limited Warranty | 6-Year Unit Replacement Limited Warranty and the 12-Year Parts Limited Warranty | 12-Year Parts Limited Warranty |
| Efficient and quiet ECM variable-speed induced draft blower motor | Multi-speed ECM blower motor | Quiet multi-speed motor |
| Modulating | Single-stage operation | Single-stage operation |
| Premium models have a quiet variable-speed induced draft blower. | Quiet single-speed induced draft blower | Quiet, single-speed draft inducer |
| Premium models have heavy-duty stainless-steel tubular heat exchanger with stainless-steel secondary heat exchanger. | Heavy-duty stainless-steel tubular heat exchanger with stainless-steel secondary heat exchanger | Heavy-duty stainless-steel, dualdiameter tubular heat exchanger |
| Daikin offers Lifetime Heat Exchanger Limited Warranty (excellent for as long as you own your home) | Lifetime Heat Exchanger Limited Warranty (good for as long as you own your home) | Lifetime Heat Exchanger Limited Warranty (good for as long as you own your home) |
| Meets ENERGY STAR Gas Furnace qualifications | N/A | N/A |
| Daikin's self-diagnostic control board with constant memory fault code history output to a dual 7-segment display | Self-diagnostic control board | No advanced diagnostics indicated |
Furthermore, the comparison chart above represents a top-tier range model, a mid-tier range model, and an economic model. Daikin offers other models in various efficiency ranges for various prices. Because of regional considerations, pricing varies and can never be quoted accurately. Other conditions for pricing include each job and contractor pricing.
We all want a quality product that is guaranteed or backed up with a good warranty.
Warranties | Standing Behind the Product | Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews
Always check with the manufacturer or dealer about warranty information. This information changes quite frequently. Additionally, always make sure to register the warranty within the deadline period after installation. Additionally, if an extended parts and labor warranty is available, I recommend purchasing this warranty, especially for higher-tier equipment.
Daikin offers some warranties that are above average and other warranties that are below the industry average. Always read the warranty and understand what you are buying before signing the bottom line. Most HVAC warranties are limited warranties for parts only.
That means you will have to pay for labor if something goes wrong. There are also some added hidden fees to be aware of with any HVAC brand warranty, not just Daikin. Lastly, we recommend purchasing a labor warranty if available, especially for the premium models.
Buyers Guide | Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews
Whenever you purchase new HVAC equipment, including a gas furnace, you will have to deal with a contractor. Dealing with a contractor can be a slippery slope. It doesn’t have to be if you know how to cover all your bases first. I likely won’t get any flack from other contractors for saying that because they know it’s the truth. Just go on YouTube, and you can find several videos from contractors talking about how they rescued a customer from a nefarious contractor.
Saying that not all contractors are bad. Many are a good, reliable tradesman who takes pride in their work. However, there are always the contractors who cut corners, and that, inevitably, ends up costing you the consumer. Therefore, we came up with an HVAC consumer buyers guide. Here are a few excerpts from our buyer’s guide:
- Always get at least three bids from contractors whom you have vetted. Learn how to vet a contractor in our free buyer’s guide.
- The primary decision factor when purchasing new HVAC equipment is not a brand.
- If the unit size changes then likely the ductwork size is going to change. That means new ductwork and added costs. Installing new ductwork is not cheap and is labor-intensive. Be prepared for this as it could add more to your installation costs.
Get more details on those subjects along with many more in our free HVAC Consumers Buyers Guide.
Gas Furnace Pricing, Efficiency, and Return On Investment (ROI) Factors
| Pricing Versus Efficiency Return On Investment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Pricing Range for Initial Purchase and Subsequent Repairs outside of Warranty | ROI (Return On Investment) |
| 95% AFUE Plus | $$$$$ | 5 to 7 years depending on efficiency %* |
| 90% to 95% AFUE | $$$ | 7 to 10 years depending on efficiency %* |
| 80% to 90% | $ | Over 10 years* |
| *Many factors depend on ROI such as house insulation, personal usage preferences, ductwork integrity, and other essential efficiency factors. The furnace AFUE rating is a high factor in the return. | ||
Is Daikin a Good Furnace Brand? What is the Best Furnace Brand?
In my opinion, and the opinion of a friend who is a Daikin dealer, Daikin makes a good furnace. My friend tells me many of the complaints about Daikin come from people who chose a bad contractor. It is likely the furnace was installed incorrectly leading to problems and frustration. That leads to the next question. What is the best furnace brand? The best furnace brand is the furnace that is installed correctly. We cannot stress the importance of proper installation enough. See our buyer’s guide above for help.
Comparison Chart | Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews
Air Source Heat Pump Tips | Dual Fuel Heating
A dual fuel heat pump is a heat pump with a gas furnace for backup heating rather than electric heat strips.
Air source heat pumps have a backup heating source. In most installations, the backup heating source is electric heat strips. Electric heat strips are very cheap to install in most cases. However, while electricity is generally regarded as 100% efficient, producing it is more costly than other heating methods. For a more efficient heat pump, consider a dual fuel heat pump, or a heat pump with a gas furnace for the backup heat source. It will be more costly to install, but your monthly bills will be reduced.
About Daikin | Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings
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, see our other Daikin Reviews here - Daikin Air Conditioner Reviews | Daikin Heat Pump Reviews | Daikin Package Unit Reviews
Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings
Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews Video
What is your opinion? Leave it in the comments below.
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I have 1 these high end models with 97% efficiency, @ 80K BTU. Has all the bells and whistles . To be fair I do have a older house big type only single windows but thermal curtains 2 stage multistage fan on furnace. Cons very quite until it gets real cold minus 5 plus then the furnace goes nuts fan goes high speed and auto shuts off and furnace winds out very scary. ( change the batteries in the thermostat , turned down the heat from 70 F to 69 F , this stop the fan and furnace from going to fast , it really winds out. then it got really cold in the house, so I stocked up my 2 Regency Fire place inserts 35 K BTU EACH ABOUT 72% EFF. EACH ONE , top and bottom and heated the whole house with them no problem, FURNACE SHUT OFF ) . Old school in heat always works Lo , Thinking I should have fixed my old Carrier single stage 80% eff. never had any problem in 20 years for $1000.00 instead. ( hard to find parts they won’t make them anymore . Economy between single stage and 2 stage almost the same as the 2 stage which is mostly always on . Their you have it, get a back up plan and your OK.
Hi John F. did you research several brands and models. I wonder do you think the contractor is at fault for any of the problems you have had? Tks Ron L.
Just came across your review. Would be curious to know if proper commissioning was done after the installation? This should include checking Total external static pressure, Flow rate in CFM, checking temperature rise and of course the highest temperature output. Its my experience that in the area that I live, the ducting is done poorly and high static is a major problem. Your condensing appliance requires the temperature rise to be within the name plate other wise it over heats. When the heat ex-changer is subjected to high temperatures the condensate generated during combustion dries up in the secondary heat ex-changer. This causes the heat ex-changer to fail. If you don’t measure then you don’t know that is why proper commissioning is vital.
Absolutely correct but when most people buy a new furnace they usually get the lowest bidder and it is very doubtful it includes commissioning let alone a basic checklist for proper installation.
Not impressed with furnace. Bought in November and it has broken down 2 times. I would not recommend this furnace. Nothing open today as it is Jan.1. Will call dealer for replacement or compensation.