Testing the heating element in a water heater is a crucial step in troubleshooting and maintaining the unit’s functionality. A faulty heating element can lead to insufficient hot water, increased energy consumption, and potential safety hazards.
To test the heating element, you will need a multimeter and a few basic tools. First, turn off the power to the water heater and allow it to cool down. Then, remove the access panel to expose the heating element. Using the multimeter, set it to the ohms setting and touch the probes to the terminals of the heating element. A reading of infinity (no continuity) indicates a faulty element that needs to be replaced.