Hi fruopoli,
Welcome to the Heartland Owners Forum and Family. We have a great bunch of people here with lots of information and all willing to share their knowledge if needed.
First you need to make sure you have water in the heater by checking your bypass valves. I do not know where they are located on your unit, but should be right behind the waterheater. Should have a valve on the inlet line (open) and a valve on the outlet line (open), and then a valve on a line between the outlet and inlet lines. This valve needs to be closed.
Next we need to know if the burner lights or not,, is propane turned on? You need to be sure heater is full of water before using electric element. If no water in heater, element will burn out quickly.
Let us know more after you check the valves and about burner.
I am moving this post to a better location for members to give you some more help, faster than factory.
Jim M