40 Hour Property and Building Inspection Practice Test

What is the impact of having gaps or voids in insulation?

1. Increased heating costs

2. There are no impacts

3. Improved insulation effectiveness

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Increased heating costs

Having gaps or voids in insulation significantly impacts the thermal performance of a structure. When insulation is not properly installed and there are gaps or voids, it reduces the overall effectiveness of the insulation material. As a result, more heat can escape during the winter or enter during the summer, causing the HVAC system to work harder to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. This increased workload leads to higher energy consumption, which translates to increased heating costs. Properly installed insulation should create a continuous thermal barrier to minimize energy loss and maintain efficiency. In summary, gaps or voids compromise insulation performance, leading to higher heating costs as the system must compensate for the loss of heated or cooled air.