Table of Contents
Daikin Heat Pump Reviews | Consumer Ratings. Daikin offers heat pumps for residential applications in the 2 to the 5-ton range for cooling capacity and heating capacity. From the Daikin heat pump economy model to the Daikin Top-tier heat pumps you can expect quality and efficiency.
Daikin is an innovative air conditioning and heating system manufacturer that now owns Goodman Manufacturing out of Houston, Texas. They were the innovators of the VRV or VRF systems that gave us a leap in efficiency for air conditioners and heat pumps.
VRV or VRF stands for Variable Refrigerant Volume or Variable Refrigerant Flow and adds to the efficiency of heating and cooling units including Daikin heat pumps.
Daikin Heat Pump Reviews | Consumer Ratings
Daikin offers a top-tier heat pump that comes in at 21 SEER and 11 HSPF for those willing to buy a premium model heat pump. Of course, with that efficiency, you will also get a higher installation cost which makes it that much more important to get a quality contractor for the installation. For others, selecting a mid-grade to the economic model will be less on the initial installation costs but a higher utility bill for these units. Cooling capacity and heating capacity vary with tonnage. Selected features of Daikin heat pumps include:
Daikin Heat Pump Top SEER Rating
- Variable-speed swing and scroll compressors in select Daikin heat pumps
- Diagnostic features with fault code storage for better heat pump troubleshooting
- Engineered for quiet operation
- Daikin also offers a mini-split heat pump model
- 500-hour salt-spray tested for select Daikin heat pumps
- Energy Star certified and AHRI Certified; ETL Listed
- Quiet ECM variable-speed condenser fan motor in select heat pumps
- Uses chlorine-free R-410A refrigerant for air conditioning and heating systems
- 12-Year Unit Replacement Limited Warranty for Daikin heating and cooling systems
- 12-Year Parts Limited Warranty for select models for Daikin heating and cooling units
Daikin Heat Pump Reviews | Consumer Ratings
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.
Daikin Heat Pump Model Comparison Guide
| Daikin Heat Pump Model Comparisons | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Operation | Efficiency Rating | Energy Star Rated |
| DZ20VC | Modulating | Up to 21 SEER and UP TO 10 HSPF | √ |
| DZ18VC | Modulating | Up to 19 SEER and Up to 10 HSPF | X |
| DZ18TC | Two-Stage | Up to 19 SEER and Up to 10 HSPF | √ |
| DZ16TC | Two-Stage | Up to 17 SEER and Up to 9.5 HSPF | √ |
| DZ16SA | Single-Stage | Up to 16 SEER and Up to 9.5 HSPF | √ |
| DZ14SA | Single-Stage | Up to 15 SEER and Up to 9.0 HSPF | √ |
| DZ14SN | Single-Stage | Up to 15 SEER and Up to 9.0 HSPF | X |
Modulating Versus Two-Stage Versus Single-Stage
Daikin offers a few heat pump models that are modulating and others that are single-stage and two-stage. What’s the best, and how do you choose the right one for you and your home? With many manufacturers that offer modulating heat pumps, they use technical jargon to describe the operation and product. You will see descriptions such as inverter technology or VRV or VRF. VRV and VRF are the same, just used differently among manufacturers to describe their modulating product.
- VRV - Variable Refrigerant Volume
- VRF - Variable Refrigerant Flow
Daikin heat pumps use inverter technology and VRV to describe their modulating heat pump. They all use inverter technology to achieve modulation. Modulating systems seem like they would not be efficient because they run more than two-stage and single-stage systems. However, this is good for efficiency because it does not require constant start and stop. It only runs at the speed needed to satisfy demand. While being more efficient, it also increases comfort by reducing temperature “swing”. These heat pump systems are considered high efficiency up to 21 SEER on the cooling side and 10 HSPF to 11 HSPF on the heating side.
Comparisons | Modulating Versus Staging
The operation is akin to driving your car in the city. When the light turns green, you easily hit the gas pedal and slowly cruise towards the next light. The guy next to you races to the next light only to have to stop and wait for the green light. You catch all the green lights and never have to stop. You get 30 MPG while the other guy gets 5 MPG. Modulating HVAC equipment works in quite the same way and offers you additional efficiency especially for Daikin heat pumps.
Several of these modulating heat pumps are Energy Star rated. When buying a high-efficiency system always look for the Energy Star label. To get the actual efficiency listed on any unit including Daikin heat pumps you need a matching air handler. This requires total unit replacement from the condenser (outdoor unit) to the air handler.
Warranties
Always check with the dealer or manufacturer about the latest warranties and efficiency ratings. Additionally, if you are buying top-tier to mid-tier equipment, it is always advisable to get an extended parts and labor warranty for heat pumps if available. These HVAC systems are quite complex and will require serious troubleshooting in some cases. With parts and labor, you should not have any out-of-pocket expenses if that were to happen. And this is not just for Daikin. I make this recommendation for all brands.
Additionally, I always recommend the quality of the contractor over the HVAC system brand. Daikin has a pretty good network of dealers, and typically, they do an excellent job of training these dealers for the proper installation of heat pumps. However, there are always gaps with any dealer, so make sure you choose wisely for an air conditioning and heating system contractor.
| Pricing Versus Efficiency Return On Investment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Pricing Range for Initial Purchase and Subsequent Repairs outside of Warranty | ROI (Return On Investment) |
| 19 SEER/9.5 HSPF Plus | $$$$$ | 5 to 7 years depending on efficiency* |
| 15 to 18 SEER/9 to 9.5 HSPF | $$$ | 7 to 10 years depending on efficiency* |
| 13 to 14 SEER/< 9 HSPF | $ | Over 10 years* |
| *Many factors depend on ROI such as house insulation, personal usage preferences, duct work integrity, dual-fuel or electric backup heat, and other basic efficiency factors. HSPF rating is a high factor in the return. Additionally, for heat pumps, a dual-fuel heat pump can make a big difference provided you get a high AFUE furnace for backup heat. | ||
Daikin Heat Pump Reviews | Consumer Ratings - About
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. The Daikin brand produces a whole range of HVAC equipment including heat pumps, mini-split systems, air conditioning systems, and gas furnaces.
See our other Daikin Reviews here - Daikin Air Conditioner Reviews | Daikin Gas Furnace Reviews | Daikin Package Unit Reviews
Daikin Heat Pump Reviews | Consumer Ratings
Daikin Heat Pump Reviews - Heating and Cooling Systems
Daikin Heat Pumps - What is your opinion? Submit your review below.
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The units in our village hall use 2 – 3Kw per day in standby mode while the hall has not been in use. This mounts up in the running costs and was obviously not a good option for this type of location. The overall costs including servicing are significantly higher than we were spending using electric heaters.
The top Daikin dealer in Canada sold me a Daikin 3MX 39,000 BTU 2 head Multi Zone last year. They offered a 12 year warranty on all parts, labor, and compressor. They stated a “no charge for service calls for 12 years.” They have ceased operation in Newfoundland. HotFrost who is taking over for Ecoheat verified that I do have a 10 year labour and a 12 year parts warranty on your unit. However, they say the warranty does not cover diagnostic service calls, which are $189 plus tax. This Ecoheat company is still selling Daikin products in other parts of Canada, and are listed on the Daikin website. How can this fake company still be associated with Daikin. Or, how can Daikin still be associated with this fake company?
why do all the comments say the Daikin HVAC units are junk. —
Most reviews are negative if you sift through all our comments in the reviews category. People don’t think about their HVAC systems until they fail or have issues with the systems. And then they become emotional and want to vent.
Another reason is some people always go with the lowest bidder rather than vet the contractors installing the systems. They typically end up with Joe Smoe who does a quick and lousy job and that results in poor performance and reliability issues.
You buy a car but if it wasn’t assembled properly then it will likely fail you. It’s very important to select a competent contractor who knows what they are doing. This site has several articles and references on why that is important. We always advise choosing the contractor over the brand. A good contractor will do the job right and back up their products.
or the supplier has no income servicing the warranty other than what the manufacturing is offering
The product may not be garbage, but some of the dealers certainly are.
Daikin doesn’t care who or how their products are sold, as long as they are sold.
Terrible customer service.
JUNK is an understanding. A kind loving word to describe it
That is because they are junk.
I have owned over 200 single family homes, duplexes, and Multi family. I have installed and observed operation of just about every brand and type of HVAC that is out there.
The High End Daikin 5 ton variable speed Heat Pump (and VERY expensive) is BY FAR the biggest piece of junk we have ever had installed. It has not functioned properly for more than about 2 weeks at a time. Techs have been to home 16 times since install. We are finally getting a new unit (NOT Daikin) to be installed this week. FYI – also SUPER inefficient. Power bill has about doubled since install of this unit.
we have air source heat system, it worked fine for 12 months, then firm went bust that installed it and low and behold, no warranty, a recommended service engineer came out, blew through condensate pipe, said that would cure it, 2 months, back to square one. I am beginning to think I have been stitched up with the Friday night rubbish. Will never have Daikin again, the warranty for the units belongs to the installers when they buy in bulk. I hope Car manufacturers don’t operate the same. manufacturer warranty should be the warranty not “tough luck if your installer goes bust”
Agree with the comments above. We have had nothing but issues with our 5 year old system. Worked for about 2 years then has not really ever worked since. Few HVAC specialists can even diagnose issues on these systems let alone actually fix them. After $3K of trying to fix our $15K system we decided to cut our losses and get a ‘less efficient’ system unit that actually works.
Works great . Sounds very quiet compared to neighbors.
Great warranties. Residential furnace and air conditioner system.
Have my new Daikin heat pump and furnace for 2 months now and working good so far. The Daikin CTK04 thermostat control is not as described in the manual. Be aware that Daikin customer support will not talk to residential homeowners. They will only refer the homeowner to the installer or so-called licensed Daikin dealer. Even a simple question like why the owners manual does not match the display on the thermostat screen will not be answered by Daikin Tech Support.
I have a high end Daikin ducted mini-split system. Great in concept and works great when it has not leaked out all of its refrigerant. The system in its 10th year of operation has gone through the four original coils and 6 replacements. It now needs two more replacement coils. The develop leaks at the drop of a hat. I’ve been given all kinds of excuses but no accountability to help fix the underlying cause. Daikin has known about corrosion and copper coil leaks for some time. I will NOT allow Daikin products to be used in any of my projects going forward nor would I buy a property with a Daikin System until this inherent defect is resolved. Just replacing like in kind coils is expensive and not the solution. A real solution backed up with a warranty that it has really been resolved would be start to restore confidence in your brand. I can’t afford to buy or build properties with equipment from a manufacture that can’t provide cost effective reliable equipment and help you resolve problems when they occur, especially when they are on the manufactures end. You have lost one of your best advocates/customers’s for this type of system…not only for my residence but for any commercial property I’m associated with….looking elsewhere!
I agree that it is a terrible unit and it is not energy efficient. It can’t handle temperatures below 60 or above 100. It starts cycling and your electric bill goes up. JUNK. The HVAC companies might like because they make a lot of money selling it.
I agree with the comments above.
We have installed 3 handlers and 5 units in a brand new home for energy reasons. One of the handlers has only worked for 2 months and has been under repair for 2 1/2 months more. Still no resolution and still is not working!
You would think their reputation would warrant them to consider replacing this brand new unit. Our contractor has made 7 trips now to our house paying for the (2) pcb circuits, 1 fan motor and now a condenser out of his pocket, let alone the countless hours of his time. We are builders and have considered putting these units in our new construction, and we still will but a different manufacturer.
Do not buy. Total junk. Have had problems for 3 straight years with handlers, controllers and unit. Now, vibrating compressor in unit has caused pipe to break and valves to split. Run to something else. Just 3 years of PART TIME use in a summer home. Pathetic and miserable performance. Also, FYI, but no where near as energy efficient as advertised.