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:

Have You Scheduled Air Conditioning Maintenance Yet?

May 15th, 2017 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

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3 Ways to Control Spring Allergies

May 1st, 2017 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

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Signs of a Breach in Your Ducts

April 17th, 2017 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

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Why Is There Frost on My AC Coils?

April 3rd, 2017 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Summer comes earlier and earlier every year, and that means your air conditioner is likely going to be put to the test every day. When trouble arises, you need to be ready for it, and one common sign of trouble is frost or ice forming on the air conditioner’s coils. At first glance, it may not seem like much. After all, aren’t air conditioners supposed to be cold? But in point of fact, frost on the coils represents a significant problem and needs to be addressed by a professional before your air conditioner runs for too much longer.

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Control Humidity Levels in Your Home

March 20th, 2017 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

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Humidity levels can be just as trying as high temperatures in Louisiana, and while most local homes are focused on temperature control during our steamy summer months, muggy weather can be just as devastating as hot weather. People tend to lean on their air conditioners to take care of the problem, and while that works – crudely – it also adds a great deal of strain to your system. A better solution is the installation of a whole-house dehumidifier to control humidity levels. Here’s a quick breakdown of how it all works.

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What to Watch for With Your Air Conditioner

March 6th, 2017 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

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How to Properly Size an Air Conditioner

February 20th, 2017 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

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Heat Pumps Make Great Options for Your Home

February 6th, 2017 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

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Get Your AC Replaced Before Spring

January 23rd, 2017 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Walker, LA is quite warm for most of the year, and our winters are brief in the extreme. January is one of the few months where our air conditioners aren’t called upon to work on a regular basis. If yours is getting older, you might be concerned about its ability to get you through another long Louisiana summer. Now is the perfect time to consider your options and plan for a replacement if your system is ready to be put out to pasture. But how can you determine that? We have a few suggestions for you.

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The Benefits of a New Thermostat

January 16th, 2017 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Thermostats are a staple of our households, and in most cases they can last for decades. We’ve become so used to seeing them that we hardly think of them except when we’re adjusting the temperature. Thermostats usually have few moving parts and with the exception of replacing the battery in certain models from time to time, they don’t require a lot of maintenance. It’s not unusual for thermostats to last for 20 years or more, and while you should always replace old mercury-based thermostats immediately (mercury is toxic), there’s no reason not to get as much mileage as you can out of your existing unit.

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