What type of material is ineffective at conducting heat?

Insulators are materials that are particularly ineffective at conducting heat. They possess a high thermal resistance, which means they do not easily allow heat to pass through them. This makes insulators ideal for preventing heat transfer, which is valuable in various applications, such as keeping buildings warm or maintaining the temperature of hot beverages.

In contrast, conductors, such as metals, allow heat to flow through them easily due to their free-moving electrons. Semiconductors have intermediate properties; they can conduct heat and electricity but are not as efficient as metals. The term "meta" seems to be a typographical error or mislabeling; if it's meant to indicate "metals," then it would also imply effective heat conduction. Thus, insulators are unique in their ability to minimize heat conduction.