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
January 2nd, 2017 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree
Most homes in the Walker, LA area use gas forced-air furnaces to heat their homes in the winter. They’re simple and effective, and they make a great fit for our warm Southern climate. Furnaces depend on burners for their heat, and when the burners don’t work, there’s a big problem. The good news is that a trained repair services can usually take care of the problem quickly and effectively.
How Burners Work
Burners in gas furnaces rely on natural gas for fuel. They burn it below a heat exchanger – a shaped piece of metal that effectively transfers the heat to the air (which can then be blown into the ducts of your home with a fan). That’s more energy efficient than just letting the gas burn in the air. But that also means that any problems with the burners need to be addressed quickly. At best, a few burners knocked out of commission will lower the efficiency of the heater a great deal: increasing wear and tear on the rest of the unit and raising your monthly energy bills to boot. At worst, they can shut the entire system down completely.
What Causes Burners to Fail
Sometimes, burners will shut off automatically, to prevent a gas leak or present a similar type of hazard. In these cases, the problem usually lies elsewhere, such as a leak in the gas lines or a faulty ignition system. Burners can often become clogged with dirt and gunk as well, preventing them from running. And in some cases, wear and tear, can take their toll, or they may suffer damage from misadventure or something similar.
Regardless, you need a qualified repair service to diagnose the issue and find a solution. The friendly professionals at A Professional Heating and Air are on the job for you!
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Tags: Heating Repair, Walker
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on What Happens When Furnace Burners Won’t Work?
Summer always comes early in Louisiana, and we’re already beginning to feel the effects of elevated temperature. Soon enough, homeowners will be turning off their heaters and turning on their air conditioners. When that moment comes, you don’t want your system to suddenly run into trouble. Now is the time to take steps to address that possibility, so it doesn’t catch you by surprise just when you need your cooling system the most. 
One of the benefits of living in places like