Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 3 Exam Practice

What does it mean when an R-value is higher in insulation materials?

1. Greater energy absorption

2. Higher thermal resistance

3. More soundproofing capabilities

4. Increased building safety

5. Less energy efficiency

6. Lower fire resistance

The correct answer is: Higher thermal resistance

When an R-value is higher in insulation materials, it indicates higher thermal resistance. R-value measures how well a building material can resist heat flow, with higher values demonstrating a greater ability to prevent heat from escaping in the winter and entering in the summer. This means that materials with a high R-value are more effective at insulating spaces, which contributes to maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures and reducing energy costs. While greater energy absorption could be related to some characteristics of materials, it does not directly correspond to R-value, which specifically deals with thermal resistance. The other options relate to qualities that are not necessarily connected to R-value, such as soundproofing, building safety, energy efficiency, and fire resistance, which have different metrics and standards. Thus, a higher R-value signifies stronger thermal management capabilities of insulation materials.