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
October 7th, 2013 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree
A new air conditioning system is a great way to add value to your home while also protecting your comfort throughout the long, hot Louisiana summers. It is obviously important that you invest in a quality system, and that you choose an air conditioner capable of meeting your cooling demand and performance level expectations. Even so, you will never get the great performance you deserve from any air conditioning system, no matter how well manufactured it may be, if you fail to schedule a professional air conditioning installation in Hammond, LA. Here is some information from A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning regarding the importance of great air conditioning installation service.
When you work with a professional air conditioning installation technician, the work really starts even before the actual installation of the equipment. A few important decisions must be made before the work begins. First of all, you must decide what type of cooling system is for you. Split central air conditioners still lead the pack, but homeowners looking for an efficient air conditioner that can also heat their homes in the winter months are well advised to consider the installation of a heat pump. If you do not have room in your home for the bulky ductwork that a forced air distribution system requires, a ductless mini split system may be right for you.
Once you have made an informed decision about which AC to invest in, your installation technician must ensure that it is the right size for your home. If the system is too small it will fail to provide adequate cooling. Of course, if it is too large you will pay for power you do not need and your system will short cycle frequently, resulting in unnecessary wear and tear as well as an increased risk of damage. Contact a professional to handle your air conditioning installation, and get the quality service you need to keep your home cool and comfortable with confidence.
Contact A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today to get the quality air conditioning installation services you need. We take great pride in our ability to improve the living conditions of our customers. When it comes to quality air conditioning installation in Hammond, LA, we are the company you can count on.
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October 3rd, 2013 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree
Keeping your home cool throughout the hottest time of the year is a goal that you share with most homeowners. As anyone that has run their air conditioner throughout the long summer season can tell you, though, energy costs can really start to add up sometimes. At A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning, we believe that no one should have to suffer through an uncomfortable cooling season due to high energy costs. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy more efficient air conditioning in your home. By taking these simple steps you can keep your home cool and comfortable without suffering sticker shock when the bills come rolling in.
First of all, it may seem obvious but is important to remember that the more your run your air conditioner, the more you are going to wind up paying in energy costs. Keep in mind the fact that temperatures tend to drop overnight. Before you go to bed, open up your windows and give your air conditioning system a rest. When you wake up, before the sun and heat can really warm up your home again, close your windows and blinds. This will allow you to trap cool air in your home, as well as helping keep the air therein fresh.
You should also supplement your air conditioning system with fans as much as possible. While fans do not cool the air the way that your air conditioner does, they do help to circulate cool air throughout your home, allowing for increased comfort and more even cooling. This can allow you to increase the temperature at the thermostat a little bit, reducing your reliance on your AC without also driving up energy costs.
By far the best way for you to increase the energy efficiency with which your air conditioner operates is to schedule routine air conditioning maintenance in Hammond, LA. This gives a professional Hammond air conditioning technician the opportunity to thoroughly inspect and tune up your entire air conditioning system, addressing any wear and tear before it can do serious damage to your system. Do not take any chances with the condition of your air conditioner or the efficiency with which it operates. Call A-Professional today for more great energy saving tips.
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September 23rd, 2013 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree
When you own commercial property, it is your responsibility to keep that property comfortable throughout the year for all of your clients, customers, employees or tenants. Of course, when you use a mechanical system as much as you do your commercial HVAC system, you have to anticipate some operational problems from time to time. There is no way to completely avoid the need for professional commercial HVAC repair in Hammond, LA. However, you can help to minimize any damages that your system suffers as a result of these problems. Here are a few tips from the HVAC repair technicians at A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning to help you determine when to schedule professional commercial HVAC repair.
While a complete breakdown of your commercial HVAC system is a pretty obvious sign that it is time for professional repair service, it is not always going to be so clear cut a situation. One important factor to keep in mind is the efficiency with which your commercial heating and air conditioning equipment operates. If you notice a sudden spike in the amount that it costs to heat and cool your commercial property, then it is very possible that there is a problem with its operation which is resulting in decreased energy efficiency. Only a professional commercial HVAC repair technician can determine with certainty what the cause of the problem is.
You should also contact a commercial HVAC repair expert if you notice any strange noises or sounds during the operation of your system. While such irregularities may not seem like cause for immediate concern, it is very possible that such issues can indicate a much more serious problem in development. Remember, damage to your commercial heating and air conditioning equipment rarely, if ever, happens overnight. It is usually much more of a cumulative effect, and resolving any issues promptly is your best defense. Call today with any concerns you may have about the operation of your commercial HVAC equipment.
Do not take any chances with your commercial heating and air conditioning system or the quality of its performance. Call A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning at the first sign that you need commercial HVAC repair services in Hammond, LA. We’ll make sure that any problems are resolved completely.
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September 16th, 2013 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree
Summers in Louisiana tend to be long, hot and humid. No matter how long you have lived here, you never really get totally comfortable with the harshest summer weather. That is why a high-quality air conditioning system is so important. Of course, when you put any mechanical system under as much strain as you do your air conditioner in Hammond, LA, problems can develop with even the best systems. At A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning, our goal is to keep your comfortable throughout even the hottest days and most humid nights of summer. Contact us today to make that happen. With professional air conditioning maintenance in Hammond, LA, you can keep your system effective and efficient.
As your air conditioning system works to cool down your home, some general wear and tear is really unavoidable. This does not have to be a serious problem, though, provided that you schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with a qualified technician. When you allow a professional to thoroughly inspect and tune up your entire system and all of its individual components, you ensure that every single piece of your air conditioning system is operating as intended. This allows everything to work in harmony, which in turn allows your air conditioner to cool your home while consuming less energy than it otherwise would have to. This boost in energy efficiency can help to keep your home cooling costs manageable.
Another great benefit of routine air conditioning maintenance is the fact that it can help to protect the condition of your air conditioning system. Routine maintenance gives your AC maintenance technician the chance to tune up your system and address any wear and tear that has developed. It also provides a great opportunity to catch any minor or developing problems before they have a chance to do real damage to your system. Even small issues can cause serious headaches if given the time.
To learn more about the importance of routine air conditioning maintenance in Hammond, LA, call A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today. We can answer any questions you may have. Our goal is to provide you with the quality services you need to enjoy the best performance that your air conditioner has to offer.
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