Before you make a hasty decision based on what appears to be a lower installation fee, ask the following questions before you buy, build or remodel your own house.

* Does your plumbing material have long-term, proven performance?

* Can harmful substances penetrate its walls?

* Are the joints reliable? Will they withstand rapid pressure and temperature changes?

* Will it perform equally well in hot and cold weather? Is it easily thawed, if necessary?

* Does it resist punctures and abrasion and not embrittle with age?

* Can it inhibit the breeding of germs?

* Does it burn, or give off smoke or toxic fumes when exposed to fire?

* Does it have a low lifetime cost, with virtually no maintenance?

* Are other homeowners confident about it; will it increase the home's investment and resale value?

* Does it have widespread approval of building inspectors and engineers?

* Does it have inherent quality and value, or is it false economy?

Copper is the only plumbing material that can answer "yes" to all these questions. It is used in more than 85% of all U.S. homes. With its dependable lead-free solder connections, it requires no maintenance, because joint fittings don't break down or pull apart. Copper meets, or exceeds, building codes in all 50 states. It's governed by strict, long established standards and is permanently identified for home inspectors. It's a natural, environmentally friendly material, not a synthetic.

Plumbers know how to install and test it-year-round, through a wide range of temperatures. Since copper is rigid, it doesn't sag over long runs and requires few supports. It can handle extreme conditions; it will withstand more than 1,000 pounds of pressure, even though normal system pressure is about 50-80 pounds per square inch. And it can endure repeated freeze-thaw cycles...although, of course, no plumbing should be allowed to freeze.

For today's health conscious consumer, copper is almost the perfect material. It is impermeable and biostatic-contaminants cannot penetrate it, and it actually inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria.

Finally, the cost for copper quality and reliability is surprisingly low. An all-copper plumbing system costs about the same as other, less reliable materials. Any, usually minor, higher cost will be quickly eliminated when you find you don't have to keep calling the plumber to repair it. Moreover, and perhaps even more importantly, your local realtor will confirm that all copper systems add value when it comes time to sell your home.

In a study conducted for the Copper Development Association, the overwhelming majority of residential plumbing contractors throughout the country said they prefer copper. Nine out of ten said they have it in their own homes.

To learn more about copper, call the Copper Development Association at (800) 741-6823. And visit http://piping.copper.org.(NAPSI)