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
November 20th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree
This is a tricky subject for many readers. While we believe it’s important that everyone knows exactly what a standing pilot light is, newer furnaces are simply built without them. Now, if you’re asking, “How does a furnace work without a pilot light?” then you’re starting to ask the right questions.
In order to help our customers the most, we’ll need to do a deep dive into pilot lights. We’ll discuss what they are, why they work the way they do–and most importantly, why they’ve been phased out since the early 2000s.
Just remember that even if your furnace doesn’t have a standing pilot light, it still shouldn’t be fixed or opened up by an untrained person. Only a licensed furnace professional should handle the inner workings of a gas furnace, otherwise, you could experience safety concerns or fire hazards!
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Tags: Furnaces, standing pilot light
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on What Is a Standing Pilot and Why Does it Matter?
October 23rd, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree
Your thermostat is the brains behind your HVAC system. As such, it needs to be in good working order for it to control your HVAC system well. The thermostat plays an important role in regulating your home’s temperature.
Thermostat problems can cause issues, such as temperature inconsistencies, increased energy use, faulty readings, and could even cause your HVAC system to not function properly.
Luckily, taking care of your thermostat is an easy DIY homeowner task. Here are some things to add to your homeowner’s DIY maintenance list that’ll keep your smart thermostat in great condition.
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Tags: Mandeville, Thermostats
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on How to Take Care of Your Smart Thermostat