Few electrical contractors earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award, which means they’ve been independently rated Highest in Quality. Even fewer can also claim more than 50 years of industry experience, but that’s exactly the case for Joe Lunardi Electric Company. “We’ve been around so long that, on more than one occasion, we’ve actually gone back and updated the electricity in a building where we had installed the original system 40 or 50 years ago,” says President Jolene Corcoran. “Our reliability and integrity have made us a sought-after electrical service provider for more than half a century.”

Joe Lunardi Electric Company provides a wide range of electrical contracting services for residential, commercial and industrial clients in Sonoma, Marin, Napa and Mendocino Counties. In addition to installing and servicing all types of electrical systems, the company maintains fire alarms and security systems for commercial and public structures, handles telephone and data cabling, installs street and parking lot light structures, and more.

Unlike electrical contractors that strive to reduce their operating costs by hiring inexperienced technicians and are forced to limit their services as a result, Joe Lunardi Electric Company employs highly trained experts who are qualified to perform a variety of electrical services, which ultimately allows it to act as a “one stop shop” for its clients. “For example, we recently entered the design/build field by partnering with facility managers and building contractors to streamline the often-complicated process of new construction,” says Ms. Corcoran. “With an electrical engineer on staff, our own CAD system and the capacity to produce blueprints, we’re able to design and install electrical systems and create cost-effective solutions for our clients.”

Another aspect that sets Joe Lunardi Electric Company apart from its competition is the scope of the projects it’s able to handle, from residential homes to entire school campuses. “We just finished doing the electrical work for the newly built American Canyon High School, and that job lasted two years,” says Ms. Corcoran. “At the same time, we don’t limit ourselves to big jobs–our service department will do anything, even something as simple as changing a light switch in a home. That’s one of the most interesting things about this business; every day, it’s something different.”

When taking on a lighting project, consider the benefits of LED technology. While previous lighting technologies relied on a vacuum or gas from which to emit light, LED (light-emitting diode) lights utilize solid-state technology, wherein light is emitted from a piece of solid matter that acts as a semiconductor. Though once thought unfit for practical application, this rapidly developing technology is quickly gaining recognition for the array of improvements it offers in both the aesthetic and practical aspects of lighting.
Unlike low-voltage alternatives to incandescent bulbs such as fluorescents, LED lighting doesn’t wash out colors. While this wasn’t the case with early LED technology (it was known to give off an unpleasant bluish tint), recent improvements have made this a non-issue in newer models, which are able to produce the same soft, white light as traditional incandescent bulbs. Also, LEDs are designed for optimum light dispersal, which means you can direct light only where it’s needed.
When it comes to practical benefits, LED lights have many advantages over other lighting technologies. For one, the longevity of an LED lamp makes routine bulb replacement a thing of the past. In contrast to the operational life of an incandescent bulb (which averages about 5,000 hours), the operational life of a modern LED lamp is 100,000 hours, or 11 years of continuous operation. Since most people don’t leave their lights on for 11 straight years, an LED lamp that’s operated at more typical intervals can last more than 25 years before a replacement is required.
While this longevity is an impressive facet of LED lighting, an even more extraordinary practical benefit is that of its reduced power consumption. A properly designed LED circuit will approach 80 percent efficiency, which means only 20 percent of the electrical energy put out by an LED lamp is lost as heat energy, while the other 80 percent is converted to light energy. The case is flatly the opposite with incandescent bulbs, which lose about 80 percent of their electrical energy output as heat. This improved energy efficiency is advantageous to consumers for one simple reason: less power consumption means lower energy bills.
Even though LED lighting is more efficient than incandescent lighting in a variety of ways, it still isn’t commonly seen in homes because of its relatively high cost. The price of LED lighting has diminished somewhat over the years, but it still remains an expensive option—replacing a 25-watt incandescent bulb costs about $40. However, that initial investment is recouped over time in energy savings.

Q: Why should I choose your design/build service?

A: Design/build is the most efficient way to complete a project. Since we facilitate both the design and the physical work, it streamlines the many aspects that come into play during construction. With a professional engineer on staff, we can save you time and money on coordination issues. Plus, when we design and build your project, you can be assured we’ll employ the most cost-effective means while maintaining the electrical integrity of your building.

Q: Is my project going to be delayed while you order parts?

A: We have a very large inventory of parts in stock, so most maintenance work can be performed without making special orders.

Q: Do you offer data cabling services?

A: We provide state-of-the-art voice and data technologies for the business community, operating both as a systems integrator and cabling plant contractor. As a premise wiring installer, we offer technical expertise that’s uncommon in the industry, which gives us the unique ability to provide not only the specific products and services your organization needs, but also system-wide premise solutions.

Q: Do you offer emergency services?

A: Yes, we’re available 24/7 for electrical emergencies.