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:

Things to Consider with a New Heater

November 16th, 2015 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

So you’ve decided to get a new heating system. Congratulations! If your old system isn’t doing the job anymore, you’ll be surprised at how much of a difference a new one makes, not only in terms of household comfort, but in terms of keeping your monthly heating bills under control. A good professional service here in Hammond, LA can install a new heater for you with efficiency and pride, as well as answering the countless questions and considerations you need to evaluate before scheduling the actual installation. Here are a few for you to think about.

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What Causes Your Furnace to Short Cycle?

November 9th, 2015 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Short cycling is the tendency of your home furnace to turn on and off rapidly numerous times throughout the day, often without adequately cooling your home first. It’s a big problem because furnaces use far more energy starting up than they do simply running. A short cycling furnace is wasting energy – costing you more in monthly heating bills – as well as elevating the chances of a serious breakdown occurring in the near future. Hammond, LA features mild winters, but our nights can still get pretty cold and the last thing you want is your heater suffering a repair call just when you need it the most. The good news is that a repair technician can usually solve the problem. But what causes your furnace to short cycle in the first place?

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Common Misconceptions about Your Thermostat

November 2nd, 2015 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Your thermostat is one of the most important components in your heating and air conditioning system, and yet despite its common use, many people hold popular misconceptions about the device. Those misconceptions can actually end up costing you money if you’re not careful, and here in Hammond, LA, monthly energy bills are nothing to take lightly. We’ve assembled a list of common misconceptions about your thermostat that we’re hoping to dispel, and put a little money back in your pocket in the process.

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Advantages of Heat Pumps

October 26th, 2015 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

A heat pump is a variant on the traditional air conditioner, but with a twist. Regular air conditioners cycle refrigerant through a closed system that cools the air in your Hammond, LA home, while releasing heated air as exhaust outside. Heat pumps simply allow that cycle to be reversed: releasing cool air outside while using the warm air to heat your home. They tend to cost more than other heating systems to install, and because they are more complex than others, repair bills can be more expensive too. So what’s the benefit to owning one? In point of fact there are a number, and they can easily offset the drawbacks. Here are some advantages of heat pumps that you ought to consider if you’re installing a new heating or air conditioning system.

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How Do Zone Control Systems Benefit Me?

October 19th, 2015 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Fall has finally arrived in Hammond, LA, and as your air conditioner sees less and less use (and your heater more and more use), it’s time to think about repairs or upgrades to your system. In particular, consider the advantages of a zone control system, which can provide a number of tangible benefits to both your air conditioning and your heating system. Installing such a system now makes a lot of sense, since temperatures are milder and you can set an installation schedule at your leisure instead of rushing to get it finished in front of the next heat wave or chilly night. “How do zone control systems benefit me?” you ask. Here’s a quick breakdown.

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Signs of Trouble with Your Thermostat

October 12th, 2015 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Your thermostat is designed to do its job without much fuss or bother, and because it doesn’t have a lot of moving parts, you can expect it to last for many years. But trouble can crop up when you least expect it, and your thermostat is no exception. When problems do arise, they can leave your Hammond, LA home without heating or air conditioning until it gets fixed. That’s why you should call in a trained technician the minute you spot signs of trouble with your thermostat. Here’s a short list of possible issues to help you make that determination.

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How to Tell if Your Heater is Inefficient

October 5th, 2015 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Heating season is fairly short here in Hammond, LA, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. We still get our share of chilly nights and while we may be paying less for comfortable heating than other communities further north, you should still watch for signs of inefficiency in your heating system. They mean that you’re paying more than you should for the privilege, and by letting them go unaddressed, you’re throwing money away that should be staying in your wallet. A good repair service can address the problems of an inefficient heater, but first you need to spot the signs. Here are a few ways to tell if your heater is inefficient.

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3 Common Problems with Your Fireplace

September 28th, 2015 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Your fireplace likely hasn’t seen much use this summer, as our hot, humid weather in Hammond, LA has left people far more interested in air conditioning than heating. But fall is officially here and with cooler weather comes the need to open up those chimney flues and warm your home with a nice cozy fire. However, all those months sitting unused may have created problems with your fireplace or made existing ones more difficult. Before you use your fireplace this fall, it pays to schedule a maintenance session with a trained technician to look for some of the common problems.

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What Are SEER Ratings?

September 21st, 2015 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

With fall coming to Hammond, LA, we’re finally at a point where you can turn off your air conditioner for a few days. And if you have an older air conditioner, now is the time to think about replacing it.  When looking for a new air conditioner, pay careful attention to the SEER rating, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the rating, the more efficient the air conditioner. What are SEER ratings specifically, and how do they work? Read on for the answers.

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3 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Fall

September 14th, 2015 | Written By | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Hammond, LA is a warm city, and even though Labor Day has come and gone, high temperatures are still bound to linger for a few more weeks. But fall will be here before you know it, which means that now is an ideal time to start looking at your heating system. The more preparation you can do before the mercury drops, the fewer problems you’ll have when you need your heater to respond. Here are 3 ways to prepare your home for fall, which could save you a great deal in winter heating costs.

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