Howdy…

My stove hood exhaust vent lets in a ton of cold air in the winter. Home was built in 2013, and we moved in 2015. As far as I know, it's always been like this.

I don't know if it's missing some kind of valve or flap or just stuck open. Where would this be…on the roof, in the hood itself, or somewhere in between?

Is this easy to DIY, or do I need to call a professional…and who would that be?

Located in DFW (McKinney).

Thanks!

Of course, every type is different and no details here BUT none needed, not an expert in this reply.
Soooo generally,

The pro/high-$ ones may have a damper/flap in the upper exhaust flue/channel.
The builder grade and most others have a damper closer to the exhaust fan, near the point of use.

In the latter case, the cheaper ones seal out "the cold" (backdraft) with fan power open then gravity closed. If you're lucky, there's also flameproof weatherseal to help segregate inside from out.

DIY is not fun but if there are screws to let you inside, there's plenty of appliance parts on line to serve. Some even help you w/install graphics.

As for me, even in this small college town there's plenty of pros that service appliances.
How to find
Google reviews then BBB reviews
then select one that could supply you with a new one & install it ... as a backup that yours is
1) busted with high-$ parts, if any found
2) needing an upgrade and begin with all new superior type

https://www.google.com/search?q=mckinney+appliance+repairs&rlz=1C1GGGE___US945US945&oq=mckinney+appliance+repairs&aqs=chrome..69i57.5843j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/mckinney

Please let us know the results, so we all can learn ....

I have questions.

My first thing would be to pull the sheath off and check to see if there is indeed a damper and that it's functioning. Grease and dust can accumulate and gunk up the functionality. If you happen to have a motor outside the house, or in another location, check that.

Check and see if there's a damper where the exhaust exits the house. Sometimes there is, sometimes there isn't. If there is one, make sure it's not obstructed and moves freely.

If youre damper is not functioning properly, you are probably pulling in the cold air as replacement air. So, every time your heater kicks on, if the hood vent damper is not working properly, then it's going to suck fresh air in through the hood vent. Same can be said with fart fans or anything else that creates a negative pressure inside like leaky windows and doors.

The opposite is true as well. When you turn on your hood vent, absent of dedicated fresh air supply, the vent will pull replacement air from wherever it can be found. Typically, it's through leaky windows and doors.

I'm not aware of a common electronic damper used for hood vents. Most all I've dealt with have pressure dampers that open when the vent is turned on and then close when they are off.

Most electronic dampers I see are used to bring fresh air into the house as make up air. When you turn the switch to the hood on, it electronically opens the fresh air damper and shuts it when turned off. Fresh air can be done with pressure dampers as well but the air exchange is less controllable when used.

I assessed the situation and thought it best to not start dismantling the motor unit myself. I'd be risking my life to check for any dampers on the roof…

I called around to appliance repair, duct cleaners, and finally landed on this guy…

https://anchorventilation.com/

He'll be out next week to take a look.

Let me know if you like him


I've got a vent hood I'm too lazy to install, and I'd like pricing on a couple bathroom vents

Bumping this thread as another recommendation for Steve with Anchor Ventilation.

Installed a vent hood in 30 minutes and found that the old backdraft damper was installed upside down, which probably goes a long way to explain how cold it gets in the kitchen if that thing was hanging open.

Great guy to work with.

Thanks for the rec. Gonna be giving them a call as I have 3 bathroom vents that need to be upgraded plus kitchen hood.