Hi crescent1- distressing news, nothing like skipping a ground here, insulation there, burning your house down all over- i've noticed a fair amount of this kind of short-shrift on things like fans, etc. over the years. I plan on checking mine out soon. Especially in light of any continued non-responsiveness from the company, we all owe you for possibly busting 'em. They've got to know this kind of publicity, if, ahem, grounded, can do them in.
By the way, one of your photos shows your heater with a fair amount of build-up. Mine gets that, too- has it ever been a problem?
thanks-