Daikin DX14SA Review

Available to Canadian consumers at a relatively affordable price, the entry-level Daikin DX14SA is perfect for those who are trying to stay within budget. The system uses a single-stage scroll compressor to achieve a SEER rating of up to 15.5.

Because of the more basic single-stage operation and mid-efficiency SEER, this model won’t be right for every home in Canada. However, this model review of the DX14SA will help you figure out if it will work for yours.

The review will cover the DX14SA’s pricing, features, warranty, efficiency, and more. Plus, it will compare it to three other Daikin models so you can see what else the brand has to offer in terms of price, features, and other entry-level options.

In a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $3000 - $5500

Top Features

• Single-stage scroll compressor
• Equipped with self-diagnostics
• Backed by a generous warranty
• Several protective features ensure a long life for the unit
• Has a single-speed PSC condenser fan motor
• Economical for homeowners on a budget

The Bottom Line

The Daikin DX14SA is an entry-level model, and while it’s basic in terms of compressor operation, it does have a few perks that typical entry-level air conditioners might not.

For one, the scroll compressor powering the unit has fewer moving parts than a traditional compressor, so it’s quieter and more efficient, and it should require less maintenance.

The DX14SA also comes with a Copeland® CoreSense diagnostics system that continuously monitors the system to pinpoint performance issues.

Furthermore, it comes with outstanding warranty coverage to give long-lasting peace of mind.

Just be warned that the DX14SA falls a little short of the 16- to 18-SEER range that’s generally considered ideal for Canada. While it will still be efficient and powerful enough for some homes, it might not work for spaces with higher cooling demands.

Ultimately, this air conditioner is able to offer homeowners reliable performance, and it’s cost-effective up front and in the long-term.

In-Depth Review

Daikin DX14SA Specifications:

• Compressor: Single-stage scroll
• SEER: Up to 15.5
• ENERGY STAR certified: No
• Decibel rating: As low as 70
• Tonnage: 1.5 to 5 tons
• Cooling capacity: 18,000 to 60,000 Btus

Features Overview

Although the Daikin DX14SA isn’t ENERGY STAR certified, it's still able to guarantee excellent long-term performance for Canadian consumers, as long as the unit is sized properly for your home and you’ve made sure it will meet your cooling demands.

The 15.5 SEER is achieved in part thanks to the system's premium copper tubing and aluminum fin condenser coil configuration, which provides impressive heat transfer qualities.

The DX14SA has other selling features, including relatively quiet operation for a single-stage air conditioner. That’s because it has additional design element to reduce noise, including a high-density foam sound blanket and a sound-control top on the cabinet.

Other Key Features

• Coil guard protects the coil while making cleaning easy
• Heavy-gauge galvanized-steel cabinet
• The baked enamel finish protects the system from adverse weather
• The single-panel control access simplifies service calls
• The 500-hour salt-spray testing guarantees long-term durability
• The filter drier increases longevity by removing moisture and acid from the system
• Wire grille protects the fan from damage
• Easy maintenance with the side and top access panels

Warranty Information

Similar to Daikin's other entry-level air conditioning systems, the DX14SA receives the brand's extensive warranty coverage, including a limited 6-year unit replacement warranty as well as a limited 12-year parts warranty.

This warranty coverage is industry-leading, especially for an entry-level model. But you'll have to be sure to register the unit within 60 days of installation, otherwise the only protection it will have is a five-year parts warranty.

Registration only takes a few minutes. All you have to do is provide Daikin with your contact information, details about the licensed HVAC installer, the installation date, and details about the make and model.

Comparable Models by Daikin

Model Comparison by Price: DX14SA versus DX20VC

Daikin’s top-of-the-line model is the DX20VC, so it’s also their most expensive air conditioner. For Canadian homeowners, the DX20VC costs an average of $5,000 to $6,000+ with installation.

The DX20VC is an ultra-high-efficiency air conditioner with a SEER of 24.5. This is far more powerful than most Canadians need for our summers, and a unit with a SEER between 16 and 18 is going to provide much better value.

Nonetheless, if you're looking for something with a very high efficiency rating, then the DX20VC is a good place to start. It’s a variable-speed air conditioner with a multi-speed condenser fan motor, inverter technology, a 12-year unit replacement warranty, ENERGY STAR certification, excellent rebate eligibility, and compatibility with the Daikin One+ smart thermostat.

Model Comparison by Features: DX14SA versus DX18TC

The premium-grade Daikin DX18TC air conditioner comes standard with a wealth of innovative features to boost its efficiency. It’s similar to the top-tier unit in many ways, but it has a slightly less advanced two-stage compressor that’s still more powerful than the DX14SA’s single-stage compressor, and it has a high-efficiency SEER of 19.

The DX18TC will be capable of cooling any home in Canada, and it’s going to save you plenty on energy bills. It’s also likely to qualify for rebates that would make it more affordable.

Finally, the premium-tier model has some extra features that the DX14SA doesn’t, including a longer unit replacement warranty and compatibility with Daikin One+.

Model Comparison by Tier: DX14SA versus DX16SA

Compared to the entry-level Daikin DX16SA air conditioner, the DX14SA model doesn't seem as attractive of a cooling option. The DX16SA has a superior SEER of 16 and ENERGY STAR certification.

Although both units are single-stage models, the DX16SA’s high-efficiency SEER and certification mean it’s going to be a little better equipped at cooling your home effectively.

It will save marginally more on summer cooling costs, but the important thing is that it will likely qualify for more rebates than the DX14SA, and those rebates could actually mean the DX16SA costs less to buy.

Beyond the higher SEER and ENERGY STAR, the two models are the same in terms of warranty, diagnostics, sound-reducing features, and design elements to increase lifespan.