Update: flap in the foam around the water heater?

westend wrote:
A can of spray foam will make it right again.
If the location of where you want to outlet the heat is adjacent to the water heater plumbing, why not make something more functional like a small heat exchanger and fan?

Be careful about using just any foam as a replacement. There might be heat ratings for the foam used to insulate these water heaters. I don't know, but just make sure you don't create a fire hazard unknowingly.

Larry