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 We Wish Everyone Knew About Heaters

October 1st, 2018 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

woman-in-winter-clothing-indoors

The fall season is here, but summer is still here for at least another month. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about your heater. It’s been at least half a year since you last turned it on, after all—you want to make sure everything’s working.

We thought of the most commonly asked questions about heating—as well as some questions we wish were asked—and came up with some general tips that we think everyone should know about.

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The Differences Between Gas, Electric, and Wood Fireplaces

September 17th, 2018 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

fireplaceWhen you hear the word “fireplace,” you may immediately think of a masonry firebox/hearth in which wood is burned. This is the classic setup, after all, and the wood-burning fireplace maintains its place as a popular option in homes throughout the area. However, burning wood in a traditional fireplace is not the only way in which to enjoy the benefits of a fireplace. And, for some, it is not the ideal way in which to do so.

The other options to explore include freestanding wood stoves, electric fireplace inserts, and gas log inserts. And you know what? We can service them all! If you’re looking for service on your specific fireplace, or if you’re just interested in the benefits of other fuel sources, you’re in luck. Today, we’ll be taking a quick look at these options, and we’ll discuss the benefits that each has to offer. So give us a call when you decide that you’re ready for outstanding fireplace service in Hammond, LA.

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You’re a Business Owner: What are Your Air Conditioning Options?

September 3rd, 2018 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

commercial-lobby-with-air-conditioning-ventsSo you’re a business owner, and you need HVAC services for your property. Can it really be all that different than the type of services a homeowner would receive?

We’re basically dealing with the same services and products, but when you add more people into the mix (like employees and customers), that’s when the normal residential HVAC equipment won’t cut it. We’ll go through some of your HVAC options you’ll need to consider as a business owner.

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Is Zone Control the Answer to Your AC Problems?

August 19th, 2018 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

family-comfortableAfter you get your central air conditioner, there will be a world of difference in how comfortable you’ve become during the summer months. You’d certainly never want to go back to not having central AC.

Even then, we still hear some common complaints regarding home comfort that simply can’t be solved by your basic professional air conditioning service in Hammond, LA. What these complaints all have in common, however, is that zone control systems can help.

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Will Your Home Comfort Last the Whole Summer?

August 6th, 2018 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

young-family-enjoying-air-conditioning-in-their-homeSummer is in full swing, but with the way things have been the last few years, we might still be sweating by the time Christmas arrives. Just last May, Louisiana experienced its second hottest day in over 70 years.

For a homeowner with central air conditioning, it begs the question: are you and your family prepared to ride out the heat? If your goal is to stay comfortable even during the worst temperatures this year, we have a few ideas that can help.

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Why You Can’t Rely on Portable Generators

July 23rd, 2018 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

whole-house-generator-installed-on-side-of-houseThere’s a big misconception about the capability of portable generators. Mainly, that they’re not nearly as capable as people think they are. The reason for this could be due to the gap between portable generators and whole-house generators; the portable option sounds more affordable and “good enough” when you finally need it.

However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. When it comes down to a true emergency, a whole-house generator will quickly be realized as a wise investment. Portable generators do have their uses, but they’re truly only for an as-needed basis. They simply can’t offer the same level of reliability and function that a whole-house generator can. Below are a few reasons why.

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Differences Between Heat Pumps and Central Air Systems

July 9th, 2018 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

ductless-air-conditionerIf you’ve done your research before installing air conditioning in Walker, LA, you may have become aware that there are two popular options to consider:

Heat pumps and central air systems.

Both systems can be configured to give you efficient heating and cooling, but depending on your existing setup, it’s best to go with one instead of the other. In this post, we’ll look at the differences between them to see which works best for you.

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3 Myths of Air Conditioning Efficiency

June 25th, 2018 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Efficiency is all about two things: time and money.

And when it comes to air conditioning, all everyone ever talks about is efficiency. After all, inefficiency can add dollar signs to your monthly energy bill.

It’s no surprise, then, to find out that homeowners have come up with some clever ways to try and beat the efficiency game. But the truth is that they’ll only do more harm to your wallet in the end.

To clear up the fact from the fiction, we present three myths about air conditioning efficiency.

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Why Is My AC Leaking Water?

June 11th, 2018 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

ac-repair-or-replaceSummer arrives, and every homeowner has the same fear: What if the AC breaks down? Some problems you can ride out until help arrives, but everybody’s miserable when a home unexpectedly turns into a relentless sweat lodge. One sign of trouble is an AC leaking water. But what exactly does this mean? Is it time for a new system or is there an easier – that is, less expensive – fix available? We’ll go over the most common causes of this problem as well as your best options.  

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Why Your Whole-House Generator Needs Regular Maintenance

May 28th, 2018 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

generator

If you live in an area that frequently experiences strong storms and possible power outages, it’s a good idea to have a whole-house generator for backup in case the lights go out for an extended period of time. What you do not want, though, is to go turn on that generator and find out that it’s not running right (or won’t start at all). That’s why, just like everything else in your house, your whole-house generator needs maintenance and upkeep on a regular basis.

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