Daikin DX13SN Review

Daikin has several air conditioners in their lineup, including their most affordable and most standard model, the DX13SN. It’s a single-stage air conditioner with a mid-efficiency SEER, so it may not be powerful enough for many homes or efficient enough for many homeowners. 

There are situations in which the DX13SN could be a good fit, and this model review will help you figure out if the model could match your needs. 

The review will talk about the DX13SN’s efficiency, pricing, features, design elements, warranty details, and more, and it will compare it to three other Daikin models based on tier, price, and features. 

The Daikin DX13SN in a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $3,000 to $5,000

Top Features

• Backed by an excellent warranty 
• Relatively quiet operation
• Has a single-speed PSC condenser fan motor
• Comes with a diagnostics system

The Bottom Line

Air conditioners like the DX13SN are very basic and will function best in spaces with lower cooling demands. For example, if you live in a smaller home, in a mild part of Canada that doesn’t get extended heat waves or high humidity, or if you like to keep your home on the warmer side in summer, then it might be a good fit.

The reason is that the DX13SN has a single-stage compressor. That means it can only operate at 100 percent capacity, and air conditioners like this aren't as efficient or as effective at cooling homes evenly. 

Further, the DX13SN has a mid-efficiency SEER of 14.5, so it’s not powerful or efficient enough to cool larger homes with higher cooling demands. 

You should also be aware that this model won’t qualify for high-efficiency rebates, and while it will be cheaper than high-SEER Daikin air conditioners, it won’t reduce your monthly cooling bills as much.

In Depth Review

Daikin DX13SN Product Specifications

• Compressor: Single-stage
• SEER: Up to 14.5
• ENERGY STAR certified: No
• Decibel rating: As low as 73
• Tonnage: tons 1.5 to 5 tons
• Cooling capacity: 18,000 to 56,500 Btus

Features Overview

The DX13SN may be the most basic entry-level model that Daikin has, but it still has some great selling points. 

One of those advantages is the Copeland® CoreSense diagnostics. This is an advanced system that monitors the air conditioner’s operation for issues and provides details about errors. The self-diagnostics system makes it easier for HVAC technicians to troubleshoot and fix problems, and that could mean more affordable service calls. 

Speaking of which, this model also has some design elements that can make installation/maintenance faster and easier, and that could also translate to cheaper labour costs. For example, it has maintenance access panels on both the side and top of the unit, it has been built with extra space around the controls, and it has easy-access gauge ports.

Other Key Features

• Equipped with a filter drier that protects the system from moisture and acid
• Cabinet is made from durable, heavy-gauge galvanized steel
• Cabinet has a sound control top to reduce noise
• Steel guard protects the coil from damage
• Unit has been tested for resilience against salt and corrosion
• Cabinet is protected by a baked enamel finish

Warranty Information

Daikin gets a lot of things right when it comes to customer satisfaction, and that includes the generous warranty coverage they offer.

The DX13SN is backed by a 12-year parts warranty, which is two years longer than with most entry-level air conditioners. It also comes with a two-year unit replacement warranty, which is very uncommon for most entry-level air conditioners.

That being said, just make sure to register the unit within 60 days of installation, otherwise the parts warranty will revert to the standard five years, and you'll lose the unit replacement warranty altogether.

Registration is easy: all you do is provide Daikin with your contact details, information about the licensed HVAC installer and installation date, and details about the make and model.

Comparable Models by Daikin

Model Comparison by Price: DX13SN versus DAIKIN Fit

The Daikin Fit is a superior air conditioner in many ways, so it’s also more expensive, falling into the $4,500 to $5,500 price range. 

While the price difference between the two models could be quite large, there are reasons why you might want to invest in the pricier A/C, including the superior variable-speed operation.

Variable-speed compressors can automatically make incremental adjustments to the cooling output. As a result, they can operate at low speeds for long periods to keep your home at the perfect temperature and save you money. When it gets hot and humid, they can ramp up into the higher stages to produce more cooling power. 

As you can imagine, variable-speed air conditioners are more efficient, but they're also more capable at cooling larger spaces and eliminating hot/cold spots. 

With a high-efficiency SEER of 19, the Fit won’t have any trouble keeping your home cool, it will save you more on energy bills over time, and it could qualify for high-efficiency rebates that make it more affordable.

Model Comparison by Features: DX13SN versus DX16TC

The DX16TC isn't Daikin’s most advanced air conditioner, but it does offer excellent value for Canadian homeowners. 

It’s in the middle in terms of Daikin’s average price range, but it has an ENERGY STAR qualifying SEER of 17. Not only is it a perfect efficiency for Canada, but it could also qualify for rebates that lower the price. 

Furthermore, the DX16TC will save you more on energy bills over the years, and it’s going to keep your home more comfortable thanks to the two-stage operation. Similarly, it will be better equipped to keep your home cool and comfortable, even in warmer climates.

The DX16TC is also compatible with the Daikin One+ smart thermostat. Pairing it with that device could potentially increase your energy savings even more, along with giving you access to features and options that make it faster and easier to control your indoor comfort settings.

Model Comparison by Tier: DX13SN versus DX14SN

The DX14SN is nearly identical to the DX13SN in most ways, but with one key difference: the DX14SN has a SEER of 15.5. 

In Canada, the ideal SEER range for air conditioners tends to be between 16 and 18. This efficiency range typically offers the best balance between purchase price, efficiency, and long-term energy savings. While the DX14SN still falls a little short of this range, it’s still closer than the DX13SN.

Beyond that, the two units are almost the same. They both have single-stage compressors, 12-year parts warranties, design elements to increase durability, sound-control tops, single-speed condenser fan motors, and no ENERGY STAR certification.