DAIKIN DX20VC SYSTEMS REVIEW

We’ve had the opportunity to install a number of Daikin’s 20+ SEER inverter DX20 air conditioning systems since becoming Daikin dealers this year.  I can say with great confidence that these are awesome machines.  Here are some reasons why they are as good or better than Lennox or Trane’s inverter systems.

1. Daikin’s Inverter Experience

Don’t overlook this point.  This is huge.  Daikin has built more inverter driven units.  They have manufactured and sold more than any of the American Manufacturers (Probably more than all of them combined).  This means when it comes to the higher efficiency inverter systems exceeding 20 + SEER they have the most experience of anyone.  Most American Manufacturers have only been mass producing inverter driven units since ~2013 whereas Daikin has been building them for years in there mini split systems.  This should translate to Daikin having the most experience in fine tuning their manufacturing processes, support and technical issues etc.

2. Warranty

12 years? yup. 12 years.  20 % longer than any other manufacturer.  Longer than Trane, Lennox, Carrier etc.

3. Efficiency

Our rated match ups on these 4 ton HVAC systems hit 21 SEER according to AHRI.  This is higher than I’ve seen any rated matchups for Trane outside of using a (quasi-cheater third party) Aspen Coil or units less than 3 ton capacity and/or with coils that are not readily available in Houston TX.   More commonly available matchups only hit 19-20 SEER.  Sure, it is incremental but it counts.

For those fact checkers out there,  Lennox has some freakishly high SEER ratings on their signature series XC25s in the two ton and three ton sizes.  Its a GREAT product. HOWEVER if you look at the 4 ton units the SEER ratings are equal to Daikin hovering around 21 SEER.

DAIKIN DX20 Compared to Trane XV20i & Lennox XC25

Lets be honest.  All of these systems are pretty incredible.  Still It is important to point out some of the differences.  My opinion is that consumers and contractors should focus more on the differences between the highest efficiency systems (like these) more than standard 14 SEER systems. WHY?  Most single stage equipment is pretty vanilla and differences between major manufacturers is slight.  When you get into the highest efficiency ranges the differences become greater and can have a higher impact on the end result.  The RIGHT solution can often be dictated by what suites the customers needs/wants and what works best with the particulars of the home (ie. sensible/latent capacities, materials, user experience, home automation integration etc etc etc)

My one critic of Daikin is this.  Lennox and Trane have better (in my opinion) thermostats that accompany the XC25 & XV20i.  The Comfort Link ii and the iComfort are superior to the CTK04 (Daikin).  When you replace your existing system and get one of those stats there is a bigger WOW factor.  The CTK04 works great and the software is very functional but just doesn’t impress quite like the others.  This is more to do with the look and feel than the actual function.

Other areas to note differences which i won’t explore fully here but worth considering.  Efficiency match ups (already discussed briefly), compressor range (Trane has largest range), Zoning (case by case), Remote tools, app interface, solar integration, communcation to home systems (automation), sensible cooling capacities for Manual S etc etc.