Lennox Dave Lennox Signature Collection SL28XCV Review

The Dave Lennox Signature Collection SL28XCV isn't just a top-tier product from Lennox—it’s also their state-of-the-art model and the most efficient air conditioner on the market. With a variable-speed compressor and a SEER of 28, no other air conditioner out there right now can compete with the efficiency of the SL28XCV.

Despite how impressive this air conditioner is, it’s still not for everyone. This Lennox SL28XCV model review will help you decide if it’s a good fit for your home. By the end of the review, you'll know what the SL28XCV costs, what its key features are, and what warranty coverage it has.

And if you're considering Lennox but not sure of the SL28XCV, the review will also compare this model to three others from the brand’s product line.

The Lennox Dave Lennox Signature Collection SL28XCV in a Nutshell

Average Price (with installation): $5,000 to $7,500+

Top Features

• Most-efficient air conditioner available
• Part of the Ultimate Comfort System, a collection of high-end devices for home heating, cooling, and air purification
• Awarded the Most Efficient of ENERGY STAR in 2022
• Extremely quiet operation
• Compatible with Lennox’s ultra smart thermostat
• Inverter compressor makes for precise changes in cooling output
• Equipped with Lennox’s proprietary aluminum alloy coil
• Controlled by Lennox’s Precise Comfort operating system, which makes minute adjustments to the system’s output

The Bottom Line

The SL28XCV from Lennox is extremely impressive in terms of performance and efficiency. The variable-speed compressor can run almost constantly while costing less to operate, and in doing so, it delivers a continuous supply of cold air to the house according to your comfort settings.

Variable-speed compressors are highly efficient, they operate quietly, and they excel at eliminating hot/cold spots and excess moisture from the house.

That being said, the SL28XCV has a SEER 28, which is generally far more powerful than most Canadians will need to keep their homes cool and comfortable in the summer. Air conditioners like this are typically designed for climates where the summers are long and hot, such as the Southern States.

The ideal SEER range for most parts of Canada is between 16 and 18. Anything more powerful than that is going to cost significantly more. Furthermore, Lennox is a top-tier brand that already charges a premium for their air conditioners, so you might never recoup the additional cost of this unit through energy savings. 

In Depth Review

Lennox Dave Lennox Signature Collection SL28XCV Product Specifications

• Compressor: Variable-speed
• SEER: Up to 28
• ENERGY STAR® certified: Yes
• Decibel rating: As low as 56

Features Overview

The SL28XCV operates very quietly, and while part of that is thanks to the variable-speed compressor, it’s also because of the sound-dampening elements that the unit’s equipped with.

This air conditioner also has some design elements to increase longevity and durability, including Lennox’s Quantum Coil, an aluminum alloy coil that’s been designed and proven to withstand the elements and harsh weather.

Finally, the SL28XCV can be paired with other devices in the Ultimate Comfort System, including a variable-speed gas furnace, air handler, air purifier, zoning system, and smart thermostat, for consistent whole-home comfort all year long.

Other Key Features

• There are a number of additional features you can access when you pair the SL28XCV with the iComfort® S30 ultra smart thermostat, including:
• Geofencing
• Diagnostics
• Troubleshooting
• Automatic responses to changes in air quality and pollen levels

Warranty Information

Lennox only offers a standard 10-year warranty for parts, which includes the compressor. Despite costing more than most other air conditioners, a Lennox unit doesn’t come with any additional protection.

Furthermore, you have to register the unit within 60 days to get the full coverage. Otherwise, the parts warranty will expire after five years. Registration is simple and can be done online or by phone.

One thing Lennox offers that a lot of other manufacturers don’t is the option to exchange some of the additional parts warranty for a labour warranty. When you register the air conditioner, you get an additional five years of coverage for parts, but instead of taking the full five years as a parts warranty, you can get a shorter parts warranty plus a labour warranty.

Comparable Models by Lennox

Model Comparison by Price: Dave Lennox Signature Collection SL28XCV versus Merit Series ML14XC1

The Merit Series ML14XC1 is an entry-level offering from Lennox, so it’s much more affordable. On average, it costs between $3,500 and $5,000 in Canada.

One of the most important differences between the two models is the Merit air conditioner only has a single-stage compressor, meaning it’s either running at full capacity or it’s off. Air conditioners like this tend to be noisier, less efficient, and not as good at maintaining a consistent temperature in the house.

That being said, the ML14XC1 does still have a high-efficiency SEER of 17, and it’s ENERGY STAR certified, so it promises dependable operation and energy savings.

The Merit model does have the same proprietary coil as the SL28XCV, but it’s not compatible with Lennox’s smart thermostat, and it doesn’t offer the same quiet operation as the high-end model.

Model Comparison by Features: Dave Lennox Signature Collection SL28XCV versus Elite Series XC20

The Elite Series XC20 is one of Lennox’s mid-range air conditioners. That means it will be more affordable and not quite as sophisticated, but the Elite model might actually be better suited for many Canadian homes in terms of budget and efficiency.

The XC20 is also a variable-speed air conditioner, it has a SEER rating of 20, and it has ENERGY STAR certification. In other words, it’s going to offer many of the same benefits as the premium-tier model without requiring as much of an investment.

It also has the same warranty terms as the SL28XCV, it was awarded the Most Efficient of ENERGY STAR in 2022, and it promises quiet operation.

Model Comparison by Tier: Dave Lennox Signature Collection SL28XCV versus Dave Lennox Signature Collection XC21

The XC21 is another premium-tier model from the Lennox product line, but it’s not quite as advanced as the SL28XCV.

Rather than having a variable-speed compressor that can make incremental adjustments to the output, the XC21 has a two-stage compressor that can operate at two set cooling capacities.

Aside from the difference with the compressor, the two models are very similar. The XC21 has a SEER up to 21, it was given the Most Efficient of ENERGY STAR in 2022 award, it’s compatible with Lennox’s smart thermostat, and it has the same warranty. However, it lacks the proprietary Quantum Coil that several other Lennox air conditioners have, including the SL28XCV.