Daikin DX5SE Review

The DX5SE is a standard single-stage air conditioner that is compliant with the United States Department of Energy’s SEER2 efficiency standards, effective as of January 2023.  

As a Daikin, this air conditioner comes with an excellent warranty and has been made with quality components. This DX5SE model review will tell you everything you need to know about it, including its key features, efficiency information, warranty details, and more. 

The review will also compare the DX5SE to three other Daikin air conditioners to show you what else the brand has available in the same tier, at a higher price point, and with more features. 

The Daikin DX5SE in a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $3,000 to $5,500

Top Features

• Equipped with an efficient scroll compressor
• Has advanced self-diagnostics
• Comes with an excellent warranty
• Standard sound performance 
• Compliant with the DOE’s SEER2 standards
• Has noise-reducing features 
• Has great airflow 

The Bottom Line

The DX5SE is a pretty basic air conditioner with a single-speed compressor and 15.2 efficiency rating. The most attractive selling feature is the SEER2 rating, which means this air conditioner has been tested under the DOE’s more rigorous energy conservation standards.

Had the DX5SE been rated using the old SEER testing, it would have a higher efficiency rating. As it is, the 15.2 SEER2 accurately reflects the efficiency you'll get from this model. 

This Daikin air conditioner will reduce energy bills compared to an older and less efficient model. It also has ENERGY STAR® certification, so it could qualify for rebates that make it more affordable. 

Nonetheless, the recommended SEER range for Canada is generally 16 to 18. Because of the single-stage operation and slightly lower efficiency, this air conditioner might work best in smaller spaces or parts of Canada with mild summers. 

In Depth Review

Daikin DX5SE Product Specifications

• Compressor: Single-stage
• SEER: Up to 15.2 SEER2
• ENERGY STAR certified: Yes
• Decibel rating: As low as 72
• Tonnage: 1.5 to 5 tons
• Cooling capacity: 18,000 to 60,000 Btus

Features Overview

Daikin doesn’t put a lot of focus on novel technologies or features, but they do emphasize quality components. 

The DX5SE is equipped with an efficient Copeland® scroll compressor, one of the most popular types of compressors around. That’s because scroll compressors are quieter and more efficient than standard ones, and they don’t usually need as much maintenance.

Another great feature of this model is the Copeland CoreSense technology, a module that uses the compressor as a sensor to provide diagnostic information about the system. The self-diagnostics can make maintenance and repairs faster, easier, more accurate, and possibly cheaper. 

Other Key Features

• Equipped with an enhanced aluminum fin coil and copper tube
• Has a compressor sound blanket made of high-density foam
• High- and low-pressure switches protect the system from damage
• Top can be removed for easy access during maintenance 
• Cabinet is a heavy-duty steel protected by a powder-paint finish
• Finish has been salt-spray tested for 500 hours
• Fan is protected by a wire grille
• Coil protection thanks to the steel guard
• System can be accessed from the top and side during maintenance 
• All controls can be accessed through a single panel
• Has a filter drier to remove moisture from the system that could damage the compressor and cause refrigerant leaks 
• Made with rust-resistant screws

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Warranty Information

Daikin has excellent warranty protection for all of their air conditioners, including the DX5SE. It’s protected by a six-year unit replacement warranty and a 12-year parts warranty, as long as you register the unit within 60 days of installation.

An unregistered unit will still be protected, but it will only come with a five-year parts warranty.

The additional coverage could save you a lot of money on repairs, so registration is recommended. It only takes a few minutes, and all you have to do is provide Daikin with your name, the name of the HVAC dealer, the air conditioner’s serial and model numbers, and the installation date. 

Comparable Models by Daikin

Model Comparison by Price: DX5SE versus DX18TC

The DX18TC is one of Daikin’s premium air conditioners, so it’s going to cost between $5,000 and $6,000+ on average in Canada. 

There are reasons for the higher price, including better components, higher efficiency, and more technological compatibilities. 

The DX18TC is a two-stage air conditioner. Whereas the DX5SE can only operate at 100 percent capacity, the DX18TC has two stages. The lower stage is ideal for energy savings and delivering a steady stream of cool air. The higher stage is for heat waves and humidity when your A/C has to work harder to keep your home comfortable. 

Two-stage compressors are more efficient than single-stage ones, so the DX18TC has a SEER of 19. This is a little higher than you'll probably need in Canada, but the DX18TC will generate great energy savings over time, and it will qualify for rebates. 

Finally, the premium model has a longer 12-year unit replacement warranty, it will be great for large homes, and it’s compatible with the Daikin One+ smart thermostat. 

Model Comparison by Features: DX5SE versus DX20VC

Daikin’s DX20VC is their top-of-the-line model. It has the best design elements and most features, and it will also be the priciest air conditioner in their line. 

The main thing that sets the DX20VC apart from the brand’s other premium A/Cs is the variable-speed compressor with inverter technology. That means the compressor can make incremental adjustments to the cooling output and the inverter can make small changes to the fan speed. 

The result is quiet, efficient, even, and consistent cooling, as well as optimal humidity control. Beyond that, the DX20VC also has a 12-year unit replacement warranty and compatibility with the Daikin One+.

It must be noted, however, that the DX20VC has a SEER of 24.5, so it’s far more powerful than you'd likely ever need in Canada. An air conditioner like this is meant for hotter climates with longer summers. In Canada, you might never recoup the extra cost through higher energy savings, so you’re likely better off with a less efficient model.

Model Comparison by Tier: DX5SE versus DX13SN

Both the DX5SE and DX13SN are value-tier models, but the DX13SN is far less advanced. It has a single-stage compressor like the DX5SE, but it’s not as efficient. 

It only has a SEER of 14.5, and it’s not SEER2 compliant like the DX5SE. That means the efficiency of the DX13SN hasn’t been tested in a real-world application, so the SEER might not accurately reflect its actual performance once it’s installed in your house. 

The DX13SN doesn’t have ENERGY STAR certification either, so while it will be cheaper than the DX5SE, it may not qualify for the same rebates. 

It’s also less powerful, so it will be best suited to smaller spaces or homes in milder parts of the country. Finally, it won’t save you quite as much on energy bills compared to a high-efficiency air conditioner with a SEER between 16 and 18 or a SEERS2 compliant unit.