The trade-off between cost and performance is a critical consideration when selecting piping materials for irrigation and HVAC systems. While lower-cost materials like PVC and PE may offer acceptable performance for certain applications, they may not provide the same level of durability and corrosion resistance as higher-cost materials like copper and steel. In general, higher-performance materials will come at a higher upfront cost, but may offer long-term savings through reduced maintenance and replacement costs. The specific cost-performance trade-off will depend on the application, environmental conditions, and system requirements.