For the past three years, I’ve been stock piling hardwood firewood, so what I have is well seasoned and dried.  I’m getting a new fireplace insert this week.  It’s rated for a 2,200 sq. ft area and has a 180 cfm blower with a vari. speed and thermostat to come on when enough heat is ready to be used. <!—-><!—-> <!—->

http://www.lopistoves.com/product_guide/detail.aspx?id=218<!—-><!—->

The HVAC floor air return is across a 6′ wide hallway from the fireplace and den.  I’m thinking that all that heat in an 8′ high ceiling of the 14’x21′ den is going to be too much for the times of below freezing temps and the insert is running at its peak output.  <!—-><!—->

So, if I build a large vertical duct from the current return air plenum and that opens at a ceiling height register, could I pull off the rising heated air from the insert?  The central unit’s slower speed used in the heating mode will draw in this warm air and push it into other parts of the house.  A sliding damper would block the floor level air return grill during the heating season.  <!—-> <!—->

The ceiling above the den has an R-30+ layer of fiberglass with an overlaid layer of rock wool….so little of the heat should dissipate before it’s pulled away to other parts of the house.<!—-> <!—->

Is pulling this “free” wood heat throughout the 2,000sq.ft. home with short runs of the slow speed blower worthwhile?<!—-> <!—->

I was wondering what the average temperature of the heat coming out of a standard room register for central air gas furnace would be? <!—-><!—->

Thanks for your experience and ideas,<!—-><!—->

Bill <!—-><!—->