Connecticut Home Inspection Continuing Education Home Inspector Courses

In the water heating systems and plumbing world, there are many different types and pieces of equipment. And code requirements must be met—no masking tape to hold two pipes together in the installation, right? Each piece of equipment is typically designed for a specific purpose: heating water, moving water, and doing so safely.

This three-hour continuing education course covers water heating capacity and fuel types, flue types, tankless water heaters, heat pump water heaters, and more. How about that manufacturer's data on the equipment? The course covers how to decipher what all that means. On deciphering, home inspection uses almost as many acronyms as the government—but you need to know the correct meaning of each acronym related to plumbing service pipe and gas piping materials, along with the proper installation methods that comply with the code requirements.

Course highlights include:

• Recognizing various components, types, and operations of water heating systems
• Determining water heater tank sizing, data tag info, fuel and flue types, and overall capacities
• Identifying the unique issues associated with tankless water heaters
• Recalling details for combination boiler system applications and heat pump water heaters
• Determining plumbing material acronyms for various materials
• Identifying the purpose of venting and related code requirements
• Recalling Connecticut-specific requirements and exclusions for inspection of water heating and plumbing systems under §20-491-6 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies

Inspecting solid fuel-burning appliances involves a lot more than checking off a box. Inspectors must possess a wealth of knowledge related to these appliances, including the standards to follow and where to go for the information necessary for completing a proper inspection. Connecticut’s Regulation §20-491-12 outlines what home inspectors must examine when inspecting fireplaces and solid fuel-burning appliances, and what’s excluded. 

This two-hour continuing education course covers the basics, including the principles of combustion, and the brass tacks, including the standards of practice for inspecting solid fuel-burning appliances. 

Course highlights include:  

• What a solid fuel-burning appliance is 
• SOP requirements for solid fuel-burning appliances, including reporting deficiencies 
• Standards for inspecting for fire hazards per NFPA 211 
• Fuel types used for solid fuel-burning appliances 
• Basic installation guidelines and how these appliances work 
• Requirements for masonry fireplaces, existing flues, floor protection, and clearances Requirements for chimney connectors and vent connectors  
• Details on firestops, wood stoves, and hearth extensions 
• Connecticut Fireplace and Solid Fuel Inspection Standards (§20-491-12) 

In this three-hour course, home inspectors will learn to recognize and evaluate common residential electrical system components, with special attention to Connecticut-specific practices and safety concerns. The course introduces types of wiring and conductors, explores frequently encountered safety hazards, and explains how to assess breakers, fuse panels, multi-wire branch circuits (MWBCs), and split bus panels. Through real-world examples and regulatory context, learners will gain the foundational knowledge necessary to identify and communicate electrical issues during home inspections.

Course Highlights:

• Identify common types of residential wiring and conductors used in Connecticut homes.
• Recognize unsafe or outdated electrical components, including fuse panels, MWBCs, and split bus panels.
• Recall the typical safety hazards associated with electrical breakers, panels, and receptacles.
• Explain the function and inspection criteria for commonly used electrical panels and breakers.
• Differentiate between code-compliant and non-compliant electrical installations.
• Understand the role of proper wiring and breaker compatibility in preventing electrical hazards.
• Identify the Connecticut-specific requirements for inspecting residential electrical systems.
• Determine which electrical elements are excluded from the inspection scope under Connecticut regulations.

What's the purpose of air conditioners and heat pumps? How is moisture managed in a house? How are attics and crawl spaces insulated and ventilated?

These questions and more will be discussed in this three-hour continuing education course. Understanding the load, capacity, and efficiency of air conditioning and heat pump systems can help inspectors educate buyers on these components in the home they're purchasing.

Course highlights include:

• Recognize various components, types, operation, and purpose of air conditioners and heat pumps
• Determine the load, capacity, and efficiency of air conditioning and heat pump systems
• Identify the manufacturer, size, and age of air conditioning and heat pump systems
• Recognize various components, types, and purpose of attic insulation and ventilation
• Recall common fallacies in attic insulation installation and attic ventilation
• Determine types and applications of crawl space insulation
• Recall common fallacies in crawl space insulation installation and ventilation
• Identify the different types and components of various ventilation systems
• Recall the usage and components of unbalanced and balanced ventilation systems
• Identify the required inspection elements and limitations for heating and air conditioning systems under Connecticut’s Regulations §20-491-8 and §20-491-9, and for insulation and ventilation systems under Connecticut’s Regulation §20-491-11

Many people, even electricians, confuse terms relating to electrical bonding and grounding. Unfortunately, if all goes wrong, various serious problems can arise. A home inspector must understand and be able to explain electrical bonding and grounding and understand how they relate to a client’s safety.

This starts with understanding the electrical system in the home. In this one-hour course, home inspectors will learn how to identify the components of a residential electrical system that must be inspected and described under Connecticut regulations, and recognize which elements are excluded from the inspection scope.

Course highlights:

• Identify the importance and purpose of bonding by recalling the various paths electricity takes.
• Differentiate between bonding and grounding by identifying the location, purpose, and proper terminology associated with each.
• Identify improper and proper bonding applications.
• Recall the purpose of the GES.
• Define terms associated with the grounding system.
• Recognize the components of a residential electrical system that must be inspected and described under Connecticut regulations.
• Identify which elements are excluded from the inspection scope.

This three-hour inspection report writing course is designed to reinforce how to report within the Standards of Practice, and the proper recommendations an inspector should or should not make when determining if a professional evaluation is needed. Inspectors just starting out, as well as seasoned inspectors, will learn how to effectively write a report to reduce their liability and provide the client with valuable information. Students will leave with a stronger ability to generate an effective and defensible inspection report.

Course highlights include:

• Why claims are filed against home inspectors
• What home inspectors should never do
• Methods for improving report writing and communication skills
• How clients use home inspection reports
• Best practices for avoiding errors and omissions claims
• Keywords and phrases to use in inspection reports
• What to exclude in inspection reports and conversations
• Key points found in inspection agreements

Maximize your earning potential by adding Inspecting Pools and Spas to your service offerings. This course is taught by a seasoned inspector who has inspected thousands upon thousands of pools and spas. Learn about the complex and often misunderstood areas of Pool and Spa Inspections during this comprehensive yet fun course. Get ready to dive into an additional revenue source.