I have something similar in my 30 year old townhouse/quad home and so do well over 1000 homes surrounding me.
The home has no make-up air for combustion, which is fine because a ducted high efficiency furnace could not be justified. Mine has a insulated flexible duct up to the roof and end down in a 5 gallon pail. The concept works well because it creates a siphon when the furnace draw starts up for combustion air. The key is a good siphon depth (pail on the floor) that is not disturbed. Th air actuall(naturally) goes down because it is heavier. Your circuitous long route for you air source could be a problem.
My utility room is in the finished basement that also contains a washer, drier, water heater and a refrigerator, consequently the door is open to the finished area where the TV room/office is and there is never a temperature problem there. - We do run the furnace fan 24/7 from Nov to Apr to maintain the circulation and uniformity in a multi level home with an one stairway.
Our highest gas bill was $89, which is not bad for a 3 bedroom unit.
Dick
The home has no make-up air for combustion, which is fine because a ducted high efficiency furnace could not be justified. Mine has a insulated flexible duct up to the roof and end down in a 5 gallon pail. The concept works well because it creates a siphon when the furnace draw starts up for combustion air. The key is a good siphon depth (pail on the floor) that is not disturbed. Th air actuall(naturally) goes down because it is heavier. Your circuitous long route for you air source could be a problem.
My utility room is in the finished basement that also contains a washer, drier, water heater and a refrigerator, consequently the door is open to the finished area where the TV room/office is and there is never a temperature problem there. - We do run the furnace fan 24/7 from Nov to Apr to maintain the circulation and uniformity in a multi level home with an one stairway.
Our highest gas bill was $89, which is not bad for a 3 bedroom unit.
Dick
