Question 1

What is the "R" value of this jacket?

Accepted Answer

Reflective Foil does not use R-Values as its primary source of stopping heat loss, it uses 'Reflective Technology' which is based on 'blocking and reflecting' Radiant Heat back to its source as opposed to R-Values that 'hold and absorb' heat loss. Reflective Foil reflects up to 97% of Radiant Heat Loss. It also has a 'secondary source' of heat loss protection of R-5 to R-7 depending on the application by virtue of its construction of the laminated air bubbles. For many years when the topic of conversation turns to insulation, we have been conditioned  to think along the lines of R-Value. The R-Value type of insulations are generally associated with Fiberglass and cellulose insulation.
Fiberglass and Cellulose insulations have dominated the  Retail market for decades and do a reasonably good job depending on its application. The 'new'
insulation, 'Reflective Foil'  (I use that term loosely, as it has been around for many years) has been used in high tech areas and not so much in the Retail market until recently.  Generally speaking R-Value Fibrous insulations, 'holds and absorbs heat' and is limited to it capacity depending on its density and can break down over time. Reflective Foil, continues to block up to 97% of Radiant Heat and does not break down over time. 
NASA has been using Reflective Foil since the 1950's. See below a small excerpt from a NASA article:

NASA Uses Radiant Barrier.
In the mid 1950s, when Clark E. Beck, PE, of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base engineered the development of radiant barrier technology for NASA and the space program, he couldn't have envisioned the variety of applications for which this insulation material would someday be used.
NASA was trying to find a way to protect the astronauts during space walks from the extreme temperature shifts ranging from -273 degrees Celsius to
+238 degrees Celsius.  They discovered that they would have to have a
'seven-foot thick protective layer on the space suit' if they attempted to use conventional insulation.  Obviously, this was way out of the question.
Instead of trying to insulate the suits, they turned to reflective technology and used aluminum foil radiant barrier to solve the problem.
NASA reflected the heat of their own body back at the astronauts to keep them warm, while at the same time they used the foil to reflect the deadly direct radiation from the sun (radiant heat) out of the space suit to keep them cool.
I hope the above helps to understand the difference between Reflective Foil Insulation(Reflective Technology) and Fiberglass Insulation (R-Values).
Thank you for your inquiry.

Best Regards,
JR Global Sales

Question 2

What is included in the "kit"?  There is no mention of tape in the product description.

Accepted Answer

Hi, thanks for your inquiry. It is a complete kit with Foil, Foil Spacers and Foil Tape. Thank you

Question 3

I want to purchase a quantity of these for various homes. someone mentioned buying material at a dyi store. is this better? worse? or same material?

Accepted Answer

Hi and Thank you for your inquiry. There are available 'Reflective Foil'  materials that can be bought in larger rolls on the market that come from domestic and overseas manufacturers . However, a lot of them have not been tested to measure  their effects on being able to reflect 'Radiant Heat' and also have not gone through the rigorous test of being CERTIFIED as a "Class 1/Class A" Fired Rated product. Hope this helps! Best Regards, JR Global Sales

Question 4

Will this work on a 40 gallon hot water heater

Accepted Answer

Absolutely.  I actually wrapped mine and had enough to wrap most of my sisters hot water heater too.  Very much worth every penny!

HOT WATER TANK HEATER INSULATION JACKET DIY 'PREMIUM' KIT: ENERGY SAVING REFLECTIVE FOIL FITS 50 & 60 GALLON WATER TANKS. MANUFACTURER OF THIS KIT FOR 27 YEARS. EXCLUSIVELY SOLD BY 'JR GLOBAL SALES'

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