Try cracking the kitchen window open first and report back if the vent draw improved.

I'm not sure if "flex vrnt", or flex anything is the right term to use, since I'm not an expert. All I can say is that the new kitchen vent leads into a cabinet above it. When you open the cabinet, there's a bit of pipe running through it, which the seems to go into the attic/outside. Not exactly sure where it leads, though, and don't know how to trace it, either.

Also had to look up "make up air system": since we don't use the kitchen vent at all, I'm not sure if/how this make up air system is operating correctly. AC seems to be working fine, both on warm and on cold, and that's all the info I have.

What is the name of the service that I would need to contact to have this repaired? Is it a kitchen appliance specialist? Is it an HVAC professional?

If the specs kaseki listed are what you have, I'd consider your blower motor to be underpowered if you want the unit to be more than decorative. If the duct you see is smooth metal without any accordion ribs, it's not flex. It may also be undersized. 8 or 10 inch may be appropriate depending on length. Check the online manual for your unit. An hvac contractor can upgrade you with a unit that works. Can be expensive to go that route.

"When you open the cabinet, there's a bit of pipe running through it..."

"I don't know what "a bit of pipe" is, but you should see a 7" round or 10" x 3-1/4" rectangular duct* ("pipe") attached to the top of the hood, visible when you look at the bottom of the open cabinet on which the hood is hung.

The proper knock-out is supposed to be removed before the hood is installed.* If it was inadvertently left in place, no air would flow.

The duct is attached to the hood after the hood is installed.** You could detach the duct from the hood to check for airflow, that the knock-out had been removed, and the damper opens and closes freely.

*see instructions step 8

**page 15

"What is the name of the service that I would need to contact to have this repaired? Is it a kitchen appliance specialist? Is it an HVAC professional? "

If it's new as you claim,I'd start with whoever installed it.

Thanks for the detailed research some of you have been offering. It's just that we used the vent a few times in the beginning, but the cooking smells would always persist.

Just a few questions about a potential new installation:

- does the whole silver unit need to be replaced, or just the fan inside?

- what is a good CFM for an open kitchen that is situated in between the foyer and the living room?

- do you think it's best to hire an HVAC professional first to make sure it runs properly before deciding if it needs to be updated?

Because many times, people want to sell you the latest and greatest, even though you may not even need it.

Any second opinion is greatly appreciated.

The first thing you need to do, in my opinion, is to call your Realtor and/or home inspection service, report that the range hood isn't performing its intended purpose and ask why it wasn't flagged as part of the inspection process. Get them involved in fixing the issue even if your recovery is limited to the inspector's fee.

Thanks again for all the helpful responses. It's a bit overwhelming, because, as I've mentioned, everyone wants to sell their latest and greatest unit into a house... that already has a completely new vent.

Going forwards, I'll take Charles' advice into account and get into contact with the person that sold us the house, to see if there's he can do. Step II will be to find a trained and reliable HVAC professional, who can first troubleshoot the entire system, and, if need be, install a more powerful unit.

I will keep this thread open, just in case someone is going through the same issues.

Why haven't you disconnected the duct from the hood to check for air flow upward from the hood?

wdccruise "Why haven't you disconnected the duct from the hood to check for air flow upward from the hood?"

That's a good question but wouldn't that require a lot of work when all you need to do is ask on the net? (:

@klem1: "That's a good question but wouldn't that require a lot of work when all you need to do is ask on the net? (:"

1. Open cabinet door(s).
2. Remove duct tape and/or clamp that holds the duct to the hood.
3. Pull up on duct to disconnect it from the hood.

Probably the comments above relating to inspection should be pursued before considering replacement, because replacement will likely involve hood, ducting, location of blower, and potentially a make-up air system (complex or simple depending on a lot of stuff) in concert with architectural limitations, cooking style, cost, aesthetics and other performance driving parameters.

"what is a good CFM for an open kitchen that is situated in between the foyer and the living room? "

This depends on a number of factors including the range you have, how often you use it, where it's located in the room, MUA, how old your house is, how often you have windows open, and other bits. In most cases about 600-1200 CFM is recommended.

"do you think it's best to hire an HVAC professional first to make sure it runs properly before deciding if it needs to be updated?"

Yes. You need someone who understands how these systems work and can troubleshoot it for you. The U.S. HVAC industry does have a reputation for selling stuff that people don't need so come back here to check what they recommend w/ people like @kaseki. If your neighborhood is on nextdoor.com then check on there for more reputable HVAC companies.

"Pull up on duct to disconnect it from the hood."

If this is improper flex then that might be possible but otherwise likely not.

Thanks again to those who have provided replicable answers and overall context to a novice like me, esp. @opaone, @kaseki, @wdccruise, @Charles Ross Homes, @dan1888. Things have been crazy until now, and with the colder weather, it is a waste of heat to open the windows during cooking time for the smells to disappear. Hopefully, I'll find the time to put together a step-by-step plan to make calls, to get it checked out and then to have it fixed. Thanks again, everyone.

Just a note that one purpose of opening a window a bit (about 1" is more than sufficient) is to provide make up air for your hood so that it can operate more efficiently. This is if one of the problems you're experiencing is caused by too little make up air.

And... Healthy air to breathe is massively more important than loosing a little bit of heat.

"do you think it's best to hire an HVAC professional first to make sure it runs properly before deciding if it needs to be updated?" Yes, it's always preferable to diagnose a problem and see if it can be fixed before throwing away what you already own. I'm not too optimistic you're going to find an HVAC contractor that is well versed in ventilation. In my experience they tend to be experienced with heating systems in heating climates, air conditioning systems in hot climates and both in mixed climates, but very few know much about ventilation. If you can find a HERS rater in your market or a local office or one of the green building certifying agencies ask them to make a recommendation. You can also mine threads on kitchen ventilation here on houzz.com for information.