PE (Polyethylene) insulation is typically more rigid and cheaper upfront, great for general use; while rubber (elastomeric, like nitrile/EPDM) insulation is more flexible, durable, offers better moisture/fire resistance, handles wider temperature extremes, and provides better sound dampening, making it superior for demanding HVAC, refrigeration, and industrial jobs despite being pricier. […]

Copper costs surged in recent years due to a powerful combination of limited supply (mining disruptions, underinvestment) and exploding demand, driven by the global energy transition (EVs, renewables), massive AI infrastructure build-outs, and economic recovery signals from China, creating a significant supply-demand imbalance that intensified market tightness. Investor interest, strategic

The weight of copper pipe in an air conditioner varies greatly with size and length, from under a pound for small units to several pounds for larger systems, depending on diameters (like 1/4″ to 1 1/8″) and wall thicknesses (e.g., 0.031″ to 0.07″), with smaller diameters reducing weight significantly while maintaining

The main difference is their application and regional focus, with ASTM B280, EN 12735-1, and AS/NZS 1571 all specifying clean copper tubes (ACR/Refrigeration Grade) for HVAC/R, requiring low internal residue, while JIS H3300 is a broader Japanese standard for general copper tubes, covering various applications including water, gas, and refrigeration,