Lennox Dave Lennox Signature Collection XC21 Review

The XC21 is one of Lennox’s premier air conditioner models, and it’s also one of the most efficient two-stage cooling systems available. The XC21 boasts an impressive SEER rating of 21 and has ENERGY STAR® certification, so it’s guaranteed to save you money on monthly cooling costs.

This unit is also built for durability and long-lasting performance in just about any climate. It’s also backed by a decent warranty in case anything goes wrong with the compressor or certain other components.

This Dave Lennox Signature Collection XC21 model review will cover the most important details about this air conditioner, including its price, design elements, key features, and warranty coverage. And just so you can see what else Lennox has to offer, it will also compare the XC21 to three of the brand’s other models.

About the Lennox XC21

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

Top Features

• Awarded the Most Efficient ENERGY STAR® certified products in 2022
• Has a two-stage compressor for advanced climate control, temperature maintenance, efficiency, and humidity management
• Specifically designed for smooth and quiet operation
• Can be paired with the iComfort smart thermostat for precise temperature control, increased energy savings, and additional features
• Easy access and corrosion-resistant exterior cabinet for lasting performance
• Compatible with the Humiditrol whole-home dehumidification system
• Boasts very quiet operation

The Bottom Line

Lennox’s XC21 is a premium air conditioner in many ways, including the available features and technological compatibilities, high-quality design and build, high-efficiency rating, and two-stage compressor.

The two-stage compressor means the air conditioner has a high and low cooling output, so it can operate in the lower speed for longer periods to make sure your home is at the right temperature while using less energy. When the mercury starts to rise, the A/C can kick into the higher speed to keep up with your cooling demands and increase moisture management.

But if you're looking for a budget-friendly cooling system upgrade, the XC21 also comes with a premium price tag, so it might not be an ideal option if you're looking for an economy air conditioner without any additional bells and whistles.

In Depth Review

Lennox XC21 Product Specifications:

• Compressor: Two-stage
• SEER: Up to 21
• ENERGY STAR® certified: Yes
• Decibel rating: As low as 69

Features Overview

Quiet operation: The decibel rating of the XC21 is as low as 69, and this is because it has many sound-dampening features. The most important is the SilentComfort noise-reducing technology, which is only available with premium Lennox air conditioners. SilentComfort technology includes a specially designed fan blade, thick insulation, and engineered vibration resistance to reduce noise levels.

Humiditrol compatibility: Humiditrol is a whole-home dehumidification system that you can pair with the XC21. When combined with this system, the XC21 offers superior climate control capabilities, and it won’t have to work as hard to keep your home at the right temperature on humid days. That also means your energy bills could go down, and your home will be more comfortable.

iComfort S30 enabled: To get access to the features offered by the iComfort S30, you do have to buy and install the smart thermostat separately. However, you might find it’s well worth the added cost because the iComfort S30 has a number of cool capabilities, including integration with smart home devices, active system monitoring and diagnostics, geofencing, learning capabilities, filter reminders, automatic fan adjustments when pollen or air quality levels change, and more.

Other Key Features

• Protected by a rust- and corrosion-resistant PermaGuard cabinet
• Coil cleaning is made easy thanks to the SmartHinge coil protection

Warranty Information

The XC21 comes with Lennox’s standard warranty, and this includes a 10-year limited warranty for covered components and a 10-year limited warranty for the compressor.

And if you register your new air conditioner within 60 days of installation, then you could be eligible for additional warranty coverage. Some Dave Lennox Signature Collection products are eligible for an extra two years of parts warranty coverage or a three-year labour warranty upon registration.

You can complete the registration process easily online by providing your contact details, the installation date, and the serial/model number of the air conditioner.

Comparable Models by Lennox

Model Comparison by Price: Lennox XC21 versus Lennox XC13

When compared with a mid-range model in the Lennox line like the Elite XC13, the XC21 is substantially more expensive. By comparison, the XC13 costs Canadian homeowners somewhere between $4,500 and $6,000.

However, the XC13 doesn’t have nearly as many perks as the XC21, including that it only has a single-stage compressor, a SEER rating of 15.5, and it’s not compatible with the same technologies as the XC21.

Moreover, the Elite model isn't ENERGY STAR certified. When you pair that with the single-stage operation and lower efficiency rating, it could mean the XC13 doesn’t qualify for some of the rebates that the XC21 is eligible for—rebates that could help to make the price of the more expensive unit a little more in line with your budget.

Model Comparison by Features: Lennox XC21 versus Merit 13ACX

The Merit 13ACX is an entry-level offering from Lennox. Whereas the XC21 is one of the brand’s most advanced units, the 13ACX is one of their most basic.

The Merit model has single-stage operation, a SEER of 13, no ENERGY STAR certification, and no additional technological features or compatibilities.

The 13ACX will cost significantly less than the XC21, but it also might not be suitable for medium or large homes because of the standard efficiency and single-stage compressor. Further, it won’t save nearly as much on annual cooling costs compared to the high-efficiency XC21.

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

The SL28XCV is another premium-tier Lennox air conditioner, and it’s also the brand’s most sophisticated and expensive model.

It’s equipped with a variable-speed compressor that can operate at very low speeds and make incremental adjustments to the cooling output as necessary to match your comfort settings and changing external temperatures.

It has a SEER of 28, ENERGY STAR certification, and the designation of Most Efficient of ENERGY STAR in 2022.

Beyond that, it also has Lennox’s proprietary aluminum alloy Quantum Coil, a more precise inverter compressor, the Precise Comfort control board, extremely quiet operation, compatibility with the iComfort smart thermostat, and it’s part of Lennox’s Ultimate Comfort System.