Compare Local Pros
Earth Electric vs Modern Air
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
These companies serve completely different needs: Earth Electric specializes in solar and EV charging while Modern Air handles heating and cooling systems.
| Earth Electric | Modern Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 11 years | 17 years |
| License # | 1003783 | 935704 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Campbell, CA | Morgan Hill, CA |
| Website | www.earth-electric.com | modernairco.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Earth Electric
Customers consistently praise Earth Electric's educational approach, with thorough explanations of solar technology and system design tailored to individual energy needs and home configurations.
Modern Air
Customers emphasize Modern Air's responsive scheduling with same-day availability, transparent diagnostics, and honest recommendations without upselling unnecessary equipment or services.
Key Takeaway: Earth Electric customers focus on project complexity management and permitting expertise for installations, while Modern Air customers value quick response times and straightforward repair diagnostics.
Customer Reviews
Earth Electric
New Update: Earth Electric did an outstanding job 10 years ago to install my solar panels. I picked them after evaluating a large number of other national and local vendors. I just had Earth Electric ...
Earth Electric was fantastic to work with for our Tesla Powerwall installation! They weren’t the cheapest option (or the most expensive), but their service was absolutely incredible and worth every ...
We had Earth Electric install solar panels, batteries, and an electric car charger at our home, and are very pleased with the results! They did an excellent job with the installation and completely ha...
Modern Air
We replaced all of our asbestos-wrapped ductwork and installed a new heat pump system in late October. The entire Modern Air team did a great job with this relatively large project. Andrew, the owner...
Outstanding! Professional! Efficient! Great communications! Same day service. Texts and emails confirming all communications. Installation several days later. A special thanks to Billy, Alfredo and hi...
Alfredo was professional and courteous, and so was the previous person who came out for quote. Modern Air does a great job with their client communications, and their cost is reasonable.
Consider Earth Electric if...
- ✓ You're planning solar panel installation, battery storage like Tesla Powerwall, or electric vehicle charging infrastructure for your home
- ✓ Your project involves complex electrical work such as panel upgrades or coordinating solar with a roof replacement
- ✓ You value thorough explanations of technology options and system design customized to your specific energy usage patterns
- ✓ You need a contractor experienced with utility interconnection requirements and local permitting processes in Santa Clara County
Consider Modern Air if...
- ✓ You need furnace or air conditioning repair, system replacement, or ongoing HVAC maintenance services
- ✓ You require same-day or emergency service for a heating or cooling system failure
- ✓ You appreciate clear diagnostic explanations without pressure to purchase unnecessary upgrades or premium options
- ✓ You're looking for a maintenance membership program with scheduled annual inspections to maintain system efficiency
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Earth Electric: Ask for a detailed timeline covering permitting, utility approval, and installation scheduling, as solar projects involve more regulatory steps than typical electrical work
- → For Modern Air: Ask about warranty coverage on both parts and labor for system replacements, and what the maintenance membership includes beyond annual inspections
- → Ask either company for references from projects completed in your specific neighborhood, as local building department requirements can vary within Santa Clara County
The Bottom Line
This isn't a competitive comparison because these contractors serve entirely different needs. If you need solar panels, battery storage, or EV charging installed, Earth Electric is your relevant option with 11 years of specialized experience in solar technology and utility interconnection. If you need your furnace or air conditioner repaired, replaced, or maintained, Modern Air is your relevant option with 17 years of HVAC expertise and same-day service availability. Both are fully credentialed, insured, and demonstrate strong customer satisfaction in their respective trades. Choose based on which home system you actually need serviced, not on comparing contractors across different specializations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, these contractors operate in separate trades with different licensing specializations. Earth Electric focuses exclusively on solar, battery storage, and EV charging, while Modern Air handles only heating and cooling systems. If you're considering both types of projects, you'll need to hire both companies or find contractors who hold multiple license classifications.
This depends on your current situation. Solar panels from Earth Electric reduce electricity costs long-term but require significant upfront investment and years to break even. An efficient HVAC system from Modern Air reduces monthly heating and cooling costs immediately, especially if your current system is over 15 years old. Review your utility bills to see whether electricity generation or heating/cooling represents your larger expense.
Not significantly in this comparison, since both are well-established in their respective trades. Modern Air's 17 years versus Earth Electric's 11 years would matter more if they competed for the same work, but trade-specific expertise is more relevant than total years. Both have sufficient experience to handle complex projects and navigate permitting requirements in Santa Clara County.
Both companies carry workers compensation insurance and maintain $25,000 bonds, providing standard protection for homeowners. Both hold active licenses in good standing. From a credential perspective, they're equally protected and compliant with California contractor requirements.
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See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Santa Clara.
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How We Compare Contractors
License Verification
All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.
Review Analysis
Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.
Detailed Comparison
We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.
Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
- Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
- Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
- Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.
Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.
Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 12, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
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