@sarina: I have had the Kobe RA02 for about 8 months now. Being an engineer, I did the install myself, although the chimney cover is still not in place, as I need to redo the crown molding behind it (procrastination is the name of this game). Overall I like it, but that doesn't say much, as my previous ventilation was just a fan-in-a-ceiling-hole. The quiet setting is quiet, but the other two are noisy; without previous experience, the "sones" numbers don't translate well into actual noise levels. Otherwise, on High, the hood is pulling out all the smoke and airborne grease steaks in a cast-iron skillet produce. You will have to open a window or install a MUA to help it pull all that air volume. The baffles need scrubbing every month or so, but that's a very small price to pay for not having cabinetry and walls smeared in grease. The model you're looking at is a little more elaborate, as it has some sort of electronic control. The RA02 is bare-bones, just two rotary switches.

I think Kobe makes some models like that...

Hello Houzz Community! I found this thread when Googling a similar topic. I'd like to replace my under cabinet hood with a wall mounted hood, and yes I know I have to remove the cabinet above the current hood which I'm fine with (see photo). My existing under cabinet hood vents out the wall to the side of my house - see photo, and note the vent is not blocked by those shrubs, there is space around it, you just can't tell from the angle of the photo :-) So my question is....can a wall mounted hood be installed to vent out the existing vent in the wall, or does a vent need to be created in the ceiling? Also, what type of professional can help answer any related questions I have about this? Would I ask the wall mounted vent manufacturer? Or a handyman? Thank you in advance for any guidance! I am a newbie homeowner and am learning as I go, so truly appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge with me!

I think whomever did this, did not have much budget to work with. A hood is there. Use it or consider to get that 99 dollar drop down installed at the correct height, and remove some upper storage as similar to the idea regarding cabinets posted above here. That said, if you have to hire it installed, cabinets removed, dry wall repaired(or just cover the holes up with a flat piece of stainless or even pressed tin ceiling tiles all the way to the top of the existing cabinets(they are not expensive)used as a backsplash behind your 99 drop down hood.....<https://www.americantinceilings.com/f1/>,  the stainless version. If you are on an inside wall, and have to get code inspected etcetc in the city...probably still going to cost you 1500 I would expect in my area.... IF it is vented thru the roof, and you will want it to be, truly! Maybe you will get by with less, just know that making it vent thru your roof, if the existing one does not, will cost more than that possibly... and than there is the roofing /new water leak potential. No code inspector would allow that installation you have, imho, so maybe you are in a rural area. If you hire someone to help accomplish this, make sure you hire someone who can address the drywall, electrical, venting, roofing and tin ceiling tile as a backsplash.(An updated home I know of used that as a backsplash and it looks very nice with the gray tones of the counter and the black kitchen appliances. There are other stamped patterns in this price range, so you can find something you like better perhaps?) Otherwise you are looking at a bevy of home improvement people, but I think it will look much more appropriate and be an asset to your kitchen when done. Just really make sure you get someone who has a brick and mortar store or a local excellent reputation, not a 'chuck with a truck' from "won't be in business next month", and don't pay them in advance for their work either. I hope you can find a way to make it look nice and work better also.