Home | Blog | James Barras

James Barras

Owner of Professional Heating & Air | HVAC Contractor and Louisiana Mechanical License Holder

Professional Overview

James Barras is the owner of Professional Heating & Air and has more than 20 years of HVAC experience. His background includes field work, formal HVAC education, apprenticeship training, federal facility experience, and 15 years building Professional Heating & Air. He leads the Hammond-based company with a focus on developing its people, improving service quality, and creating a positive workplace. His goal is continuous improvement that produces strong system service, a better customer experience, and long-term value for homeowners.

Quick Facts

Name: James Barras
Title: Owner of Professional Heating & Air
Experience: More than 20 years in HVAC; 15 years with Professional Heating & Air
Location and service areas: Hammond, Louisiana and Mandeville, Louisiana
Areas of focus: HVAC service, technician development, continuous company improvement, and delivering an exceptional experience for team members and customers

Experience & Leadership

James Barras began his HVAC career through an apprenticeship program after deciding to pursue a skilled trade that offered both technical challenges and the opportunity to eventually build a business. Over more than two decades in the industry, his experience has included working for two HVAC companies and serving as an HVAC technician for the federal government at a research building in New Orleans.

After gaining field experience and completing an HVAC degree through Delgado, James returned to Louisiana’s Northshore and started his own HVAC business from a garage in Ponchatoula. Over the following 15 years, he developed the business into Professional Heating & Air, serving customers in the Hammond and Mandeville areas.

As the owner of Professional Heating & Air, James focuses on improving how the business operates, developing the people within it, and creating a workplace where employees can succeed in a positive environment. The company’s stated mission is to empower its people to produce exceptional results through an elite company.

His leadership philosophy shapes both the company’s internal culture and its approach to customer service. He emphasizes continuous improvement, professionalism, strong team performance, and providing the best experience possible for employees and customers.

Technical Expertise

HVAC systems and service
Louisiana mechanical contracting
HVAC technician field experience
Apprenticeship-based HVAC trade training
HVAC work in a federal research-building environment
HVAC company operations and service delivery
HVAC workforce development and technician growth
Customer experience within an HVAC service business

Licenses & Certifications

Louisiana State Mechanical License: #57241
HVAC Degree: Delgado, New Orleans

Editorial Standards & Disclosures

Content attributed to James Barras draws on his real-world HVAC experience and professional industry knowledge. His author content is created with accuracy and homeowner clarity in mind, is subject to editorial oversight, and may be updated periodically as industry practices or company information change.
Editorial Policy

Last Updated

September 9, 2026

Latest Posts:

What Is Formicary Corrosion In An AC?

April 24th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

The last thing you want to deal with during our overwhelmingly hot and humid summers is a broken-down air conditioner. There are things you can do to guard against unexpected breakdowns. You can change the air filter religiously every 1-3 months. You can schedule annual maintenance if you have a central air conditioner and twice a year if you have a heat pump. You can schedule a repair if your AC is making unusual noises.

However, even with the most vigilant attention to their air conditioners, Louisiana homeowners may face a breakdown despite this attention. That’s why it’s helpful to keep reading our blog so you can be aware of potential issues. One type of common breakdown that isn’t commonly known about is formicary corrosion. If you have an air conditioner with copper coils in the outdoor unit, this is a potential problem. Let’s discuss this issue so you’ll know if it’s going on with your AC.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, formicary corrosion
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on What Is Formicary Corrosion In An AC?

Strange AC Noises and What They Mean

April 10th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Here in Louisiana, an air conditioner isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. During our hot, humid summers, you never want to find yourself without a functioning air conditioner. That’s why it’s essential to know the signs that your need AC repair in Hammond LA.

Luckily, your AC will do just about everything it can to let you know it needs some help. These signs usually come in the form of unusual noises and sounds. Let’s go over some of these so you’ll know what they usually mean and that it’s time to schedule an appointment with our technicians.

Tags: AC Repair, Mandeville
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Strange AC Noises and What They Mean

Poor Indoor Air Quality Solutions For Your Home

March 27th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that the air inside their homes is often worse than the air outside. There are a lot of factors influencing your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) and our high humidity doesn’t help. If you’ve been wondering just how bad your air is, you’ve probably searched for air quality testing companies near Ponchatoula, LA to try and determine how to improve it.

We offer a full lineup of powerful, whole-house air quality systems that tackle many of the problems with your indoor air quality. From air purification systems to dehumidifiers, to heat and energy recovery ventilators, we have a solution that’ll fit your needs. Read on to learn more about these systems.

Tags: IAQ, Indoor Air Quality, Ponchatoula
Posted in Indoor Air Quality | Comments Off on Poor Indoor Air Quality Solutions For Your Home

How Does a Furnace’s Electronic Ignition Work?

March 13th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Gas furnaces have been around for quite some time. In 1885, the Bunsen burner was invented. With its natural gas flame that was capable of being regulated, this set the stage for the modern gas furnace. But it wasn’t until the 1940s that gas furnaces became common in US homes.

The technology behind furnaces continues to evolve. One way they’ve evolved is how the gas burners are lit. Many older gas furnaces still have a standing pilot light to ignite the gas burners at the start of the heating cycle. You can think of a pilot light as a mini Bunsen burner in the furnace: a small, constant flame. When the furnace is turned on and the gas flows, the pilot light would ignite the gas burners.

Tags: Furnace, Mandeville, standing pilot light
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on How Does a Furnace’s Electronic Ignition Work?

Is Your Old Air Conditioner Wasting Money?

February 20th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Do you have an older air conditioning system in your home? If you’re not sure what we mean by older, we’re talking about one that has exceeded its estimated lifespan. Air conditioners are estimated to last for 10-15 years. but we often see air conditioners that have exceeded this amount in people’s homes. In fact, we see them fairly often when we get calls for AC repair in Hammond, LA.

We understand that homeowners want their home comfort systems to last as long as they possibly can. Nobody looks forward to the day when you have to replace an expensive piece of equipment like an air conditioner. However, many homeowners mistakenly think that by not replacing their outdated AC that they’re saving money. Actually, the reverse is true. Let’s look at the ways that trying to keep an aging, outdated air conditioner going is costing you more money than it would be if you replaced it.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Covington
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Is Your Old Air Conditioner Wasting Money?

Heat Pumps and Mini Splits for Louisiana Homes

February 13th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

The popularity of alternate air condition options is skyrocketing—and for good reason. Among these options are heat pumps and ductless mini splits. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your air conditioning in Hammond, LA, have you considered making the switch to one of these systems? If you’re not aware of the benefits of heat pumps and mini splits, you’re not alone. Read on to learn what makes these systems so unique and why one might just be the perfect fit for your home.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Mandeville
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Heat Pumps and Mini Splits for Louisiana Homes

Do Gas Furnaces Still Use Pilot Lights?

January 30th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Most homeowners know if they have a gas or electric furnace in their homes. However, if we were to ask most people if their gas furnace has a pilot light, a lot of homeowners would probably respond that they don’t even know what a pilot light is–let alone if their furnace has one.

The natural gas furnace has been popular since the 1940s, replacing coal-burning furnaces as a safer and more convenient option. Furnace technology has continued to advance not only in safety and convenience but in efficiency too. And so we come to the question: are standing pilot lights in furnaces still a thing? Let’s look into this question in more depth.

Tags: Covington, standing pilot light
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Do Gas Furnaces Still Use Pilot Lights?

4 Emergency Heating Repair Situations

January 16th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Although Louisiana residents don’t use their heaters nearly as much as their air conditioners, you want your heater to work when you need it. With our usually mild winters, it’s easier to overlook a heater that isn’t functioning at peak performance.

However, there are some heater scenarios that when they happen, shouldn’t be ignored. From unusual noises and smells to a system that’s short cycling, here are 4 signs that you may need emergency heating repair in your Man deville, LA home.

Tags: emergency heating repair, Emergency Service, Mandeville
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on 4 Emergency Heating Repair Situations

Should Your Heat Pump Be Maintained Twice a Year?

December 19th, 2022 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Most homeowners know that regular preventive maintenance is crucial to keeping HVAC systems in fine working order. What a lot of people who own heat pumps don’t know is that these systems need to be maintained twice a year. That’s because heat pumps are unique in that they require maintenance more often than other standard HVAC systems.

Your heat pump worked hard over the summer to keep your home cool in the Louisiana heat. With the first day of winter right around the corner, you’re going to depend on your heat pump more and more to make sure your house stays warm. Now’s an ideal time to schedule maintenance and by doing so now, you can avoid heat pump repair in Hammond, LA this winter. Keep reading to learn why.

Tags: Hammond, Heat Pump Repair
Posted in Heat Pumps | Comments Off on Should Your Heat Pump Be Maintained Twice a Year?

How To Know If You Have an HVAC Emergency

December 5th, 2022 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Many homeowners would like to think that their HVAC systems will always run smoothly and efficiently for their entire lifespans. But like any piece of complex machinery, things can and do go wrong. Knowing which service calls can wait and which constitutes a true emergency are important distinctions.

Luckily, HVAC systems give off signs when something’s not right–most of the time. Let’s take a look at some scenarios that definitely warrant a timely response from a team of highly trained HVAC professionals. One thing is for sure: if you need HVAC emergency service in Hammond, LA, contact us for fast and reliable service.

Tags: Covington, Emergency Service
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on How To Know If You Have an HVAC Emergency