If you have an electric water heater, you can test it with a multimeter. First, make sure that the power is off to the water heater. Then, remove the access panel to the heating element. You should see two screws or bolts holding the element in place. Use your multimeter to test for continuity between the two terminals on the heating element. If there is continuity, then the element is good. If there is no continuity, then the element needs to be replaced.