Daikin DX16SA Review

The Daikin DX16SA air conditioner is an impressive value-tier unit that boasts a SEER performance rating up to 16. The unit features a high-efficiency Copeland® scroll compressor and delivers ENERGY STAR® certified cooling comfort for your entire home.

The DX16SA is a relatively economical high-efficiency air conditioner that has a lot of great selling points. It could potentially be suitable for many homes in Canada, and this DX16SA model review will help you understand if yours is one of them.

The review will cover the important details about the DX16SA, including its pricing, warranty coverage, efficiency, and design elements. And just in case you're curious about what else Daikin has to offer, the review will also compare it to three other models of theirs.

In a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $4500 - $5500

Top Features

• ENERGY STAR certification and high-efficiency SEER could increase rebate eligibility
• High-efficiency Copeland single-stage scroll compressor
• Designed with self-diagnostics to provide certified technicians with the information they need for fast and easy maintenance
• Backed by an excellent warranty
• Quiet operation for a single-stage unit
• Single-speed PSC condenser fan motor

The Bottom Line

The DX16SA may be a more basic single-stage air conditioner, but it has some perks and design elements that make it more sophisticated. It also has a SEER of 16, which is typically perfect for Canadian summers.

When you pair the high-efficiency SEER with the ENERGY STAR certification, you also get increased rebate eligibility that could make it more budget-friendly for people.

The Copeland scroll compressor that powers the unit is highly efficient and quiet, and these types of compressors usually need less maintenance than traditional alternatives.

It’s also equipped with Copeland’s CoreSense diagnostics system, which monitors the system for problems and provides HVAC technicians with detailed information to make accurate repairs.

In-Depth Review

Daikin DX16SA Specifications:

• Compressor: Single-stage scroll
• SEER: Up to 16
• ENERGY STAR certified: Yes
• Decibel rating: As low as 71.5
• Tonnage: 1.5 to 5 tons
• Cooling capacity: 18,000 to 57,000 Btus

Features Overview

The Daikin DX16SA air conditioner's reliable high-efficiency operation guarantees that Canadian consumers will be able to enjoy cost-effective cooling comfort, especially when you compare the SEER of this model to older standard-efficiency air conditioners.

Another great thing about the DX16SA is that it has been built to last. It has a heavy-gauge galvanized-steel cabinet with a grille-style sound control top that protects the unit and reduces noise.

Meanwhile, the factory-installed filter drier keeps contaminants out of the refrigerant system to further increase the air conditioner's long-term reliability.

Other Key Features

• Top and side maintenance access makes service calls easy
• The rust-resistant coated screws add durability
• The premium copper tubing and aluminum fin condenser coil provide impressive heat transfer
• An acoustically engineered, high-density foam sound control blanket provides quiet operation
• A steel louver coil guard adds strength while making coil cleaning simple
• The design has been tested for salt-resistance for 500 hours
• A wire grille prevents damage to the fan
• The cabinet is protected with a baked enamel finish for protection from the elements

Warranty Information

The DX16SA has a slightly reduced version of the brand's premium-grade warranty, but the coverage for this model still surpasses the protection offered by a lot of other brands. This level of confidence should give Canadians complete peace of mind.

The coverage includes a limited six-year unit replacement warranty as well as a limited 12-year parts warranty.

Here's what the unit replacement warranty means: if the compressor fails during the coverage period, then Daikin will provide you with a new air conditioner.

Registration is required before you'll qualify for these full terms. You'll have to register the unit within 60 days of installation, or else the warranty will only be a five-year parts warranty.

Comparable Models by Daikin

Model Comparison by Price: DX16SA versus DX16TC

The DX16SA versus DX16TC have similar efficiency ratings, so they fall into the same $4,500 to $5,500 price range. The DX16TC will be more expensive, however, because it has some superior design elements.

The DX16TC is a two-stage air conditioner, and that means the compressor can operate in an energy-saving low mode for longer periods to maintain the temperature, but it can also switch to the higher cooling mode during heat waves or periods of high humidity.

The DX16TC has a marginally higher SEER of 17, and while this will translate to slightly higher energy savings, it will provide more consistent cooling throughout your home, and it will operate more quietly while eliminating hot and cold spots.

Another thing about the DX16TC is that it’s compatible with the brand’s smart thermostat, the Daikin One+, which has some great features of its own. Finally, it has a longer 12-year unit replacement warranty.

Model Comparison by Features: DX16SA versus DX18TC

As a value-tier unit, the Daikin DX16SA doesn't receive the brand's full range of technological add-ons that are found on the superior DX18TC air conditioner.

The DX18TC is a two-stage air conditioner with a SEER of 19, ENERGY STAR certification, a 12-year unit replacement warranty, and compatibility with the Daikin One+ smart thermostat.

On top of all that, it also shares the self-diagnostics, sound-reducing features, and other benefits that the DX16SA offers.  

Model Comparison by Tier: DX16SA versus DX13SN

The DX16SA is the most efficient and sophisticated of Daikin’s value-tier air conditioners, especially when compared to the DX13SN. The DX13SN is also a single-stage model, but it only has a SEER of 14.5, which means it’s probably only going to be suitable for smaller homes or houses in milder parts of Canada.

It also doesn’t have ENERGY STAR, it won’t qualify for high-efficiency rebates, and it has a shorter two-year unit replacement warranty.