以后的空调制冷都不行了？铝代铜到底是升级还是减配

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing debate in the air conditioning industry regarding the shift from copper to aluminum in key components, particularly heat exchangers, and the implications for product performance and cost [5][8][25]. Group 1: Industry Trends - Major air conditioning brands, including Haier, Midea, and TCL, have formed an alliance to promote the use of aluminum instead of copper, while Gree has opted out, citing concerns over quality and reliability [5][6][25]. - The shift to aluminum is driven by rising copper prices, which have surged to over $12,000 per ton, making copper a significant cost component in air conditioning units, accounting for approximately 30% to 40% of total costs [30][29][28]. Group 2: Technical Considerations - The transition involves replacing copper pipes in heat exchangers with aluminum pipes, which could potentially affect cooling efficiency due to aluminum's lower thermal conductivity (about 60% of copper's) and other performance metrics [12][10][8]. - Advances in technology, such as microchannel technology and specialized coatings, are being developed to mitigate the disadvantages of aluminum, including its thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance [14][16][18]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The global demand for copper is increasing, driven by sectors like AI and electric vehicles, which require significant amounts of copper for infrastructure and manufacturing [38][42]. - Geopolitical risks and supply chain vulnerabilities related to copper mining are prompting manufacturers to consider aluminum as a more stable alternative, given its abundance and lower cost [50][49]. Group 4: Consumer Implications - Consumers are concerned that the switch to aluminum may compromise the performance of air conditioning units, leading to calls for manufacturers to ensure quality and possibly lower prices to reflect the cost savings from using aluminum [51][52]. - The article suggests that if manufacturers can demonstrate that aluminum-based systems perform comparably to copper systems, they should consider passing on cost savings to consumers through lower prices or extended warranties [52].