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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:

Central AC Vs Heat Pumps for Louisiana’s Climate

June 19th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

There are some terms that people might hear and immediately dismiss, assuming it doesn’t apply to them. When you live in Louisiana and you hear the term “heat pump,” you might automatically assume that’s something you’ll never need.

Despite being poorly named, heat pumps have surged in popularity lately among people who know they provide both heating and cooling. When you’re researching air conditioning installation in Covington, you might be debating if a heat pump or central AC is better for our hot, humid climate.

Let’s go over the basics of heat pumps and then discuss how they compare to central air conditioning systems.

Tags: AC Installation, Covington
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Why A Clogged Condensate Line Is Bad News

June 5th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Have you ever wondered what happens to all the moisture your AC collects during the cooling process? Your air conditioner has a part called a condensate drain that is designed to collect and channel away this moisture. But water and condensation aren’t all that’s capable of entering this drain. Dust and dirt can accumulate and things like mold spores can develop in this line and become trapped in the drain.

Just like with any drain line with a small diameter, the condensate line can eventually become clogged to the point that no condensation can pass through. This water may back up into the air conditioner or around the surrounding floor and walls. As you can imagine, leaking water is never a good thing in a home. Learn why this happens and what you can do to prevent it. If your AC develops a drain clog, give us a call for prompt air conditioning service in Hammond.

Tags: Air Conditioning Service, Hammond
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Why A Clogged Condensate Line Is Bad News

How to Know When to Call for Emergency Repairs

May 22nd, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Knowing when to call for emergency AC repair might seem like an easy thing to recognize, but it can be more nuanced than that. For example, an air conditioner that won’t turn on at all on a scorching hot day can be a safety issue for you and your family and it should be treated as an emergency.

But what about if the AC isn’t working very well on a day with mild temperatures? It gets a bit tricky, doesn’t it? The question we’re trying to answer here is exactly how urgent is the need for an emergency repair. Let’s go over the parameters that definitely warrant a call for emergency repairs.

Tags: Air Conditioning, emergency AC repair
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How AC Maintenance Reduces AC Repairs

May 8th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Two HVAC technicians smiling while performing heating and cooling maintenance service on an outdoor unit.

It’s never a good feeling when you realize you need air conditioning repair in Mandeville. Although you know you can always count on us to fix your AC promptly and efficiently, you might be wondering how your AC broke down in the first place.

How Does Heating and Cooling Maintenance Service Reduce Repairs?

Detects minor issues before they turn into major problems
Prevents sudden breakdowns during peak usage seasons
Reduces long-term wear and tear on system components
Improves system efficiency, easing overall strain
Helps maintain valid manufacturer warranties

We like to inform our customers of all the ways they can avoid seeing us and that includes how to avoid AC repairs. The first thing we recommend is getting annual AC maintenance. In fact skipping AC maintenance costs more than most people realize.

Let’s go over the things you can to do try and avoid AC repairs.

Tags: AC Repair, Air Conditioning Repair, Mandeville
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What Is Formicary Corrosion In An AC?

April 24th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

The last thing you want to deal with during our overwhelmingly hot and humid summers is a broken-down air conditioner. There are things you can do to guard against unexpected breakdowns. You can change the air filter religiously every 1-3 months. You can schedule annual maintenance if you have a central air conditioner and twice a year if you have a heat pump. You can schedule a repair if your AC is making unusual noises.

However, even with the most vigilant attention to their air conditioners, Louisiana homeowners may face a breakdown despite this attention. That’s why it’s helpful to keep reading our blog so you can be aware of potential issues. One type of common breakdown that isn’t commonly known about is formicary corrosion. If you have an air conditioner with copper coils in the outdoor unit, this is a potential problem. Let’s discuss this issue so you’ll know if it’s going on with your AC.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, formicary corrosion
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Strange AC Noises and What They Mean

April 10th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Here in Louisiana, an air conditioner isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. During our hot, humid summers, you never want to find yourself without a functioning air conditioner. That’s why it’s essential to know the signs that your need AC repair in Mandeville LA.

Luckily, your AC will do just about everything it can to let you know it needs some help. These signs usually come in the form of unusual noises and sounds. Let’s go over some of these so you’ll know what they usually mean and that it’s time to schedule an appointment with our technicians.

Tags: AC Repair, Mandeville
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Poor Indoor Air Quality Solutions For Your Home

March 27th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that the air inside their homes is often worse than the air outside. There are a lot of factors influencing your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) and our high humidity doesn’t help. If you’ve been wondering just how bad your air is, you’ve probably searched for air quality testing companies near Ponchatoula, LA to try and determine how to improve it.

We offer a full lineup of powerful, whole-house air quality systems that tackle many of the problems with your indoor air quality. From air purification systems to dehumidifiers, to heat and energy recovery ventilators, we have a solution that’ll fit your needs. Read on to learn more about these systems.

Tags: IAQ, Indoor Air Quality, Ponchatoula
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How Does a Furnace’s Electronic Ignition Work?

March 13th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Gas furnaces have been around for quite some time. In 1885, the Bunsen burner was invented. With its natural gas flame that was capable of being regulated, this set the stage for the modern gas furnace. But it wasn’t until the 1940s that gas furnaces became common in US homes.

The technology behind furnaces continues to evolve. One way they’ve evolved is how the gas burners are lit. Many older gas furnaces still have a standing pilot light to ignite the gas burners at the start of the heating cycle. You can think of a pilot light as a mini Bunsen burner in the furnace: a small, constant flame. When the furnace is turned on and the gas flows, the pilot light would ignite the gas burners.

Tags: Furnace, Mandeville, standing pilot light
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Is Your Old Air Conditioner Wasting Money?

February 20th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

Do you have an older air conditioning system in your home? If you’re not sure what we mean by older, we’re talking about one that has exceeded its estimated lifespan. Air conditioners are estimated to last for 10-15 years. but we often see air conditioners that have exceeded this amount in people’s homes. In fact, we see them fairly often when we get calls for AC repair in Covington, LA.

We understand that homeowners want their home comfort systems to last as long as they possibly can. Nobody looks forward to the day when you have to replace an expensive piece of equipment like an air conditioner. However, many homeowners mistakenly think that by not replacing their outdated AC that they’re saving money. Actually, the reverse is true. Let’s look at the ways that trying to keep an aging, outdated air conditioner going is costing you more money than it would be if you replaced it.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Covington
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Heat Pumps and Mini Splits for Louisiana Homes

February 13th, 2023 | Written By James Barras | Reviewed By Ronnie Roundtree

The popularity of alternate air condition options is skyrocketing—and for good reason. Among these options are heat pumps and ductless mini splits. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your air conditioning in Mandeville, LA, have you considered making the switch to one of these systems? If you’re not aware of the benefits of heat pumps and mini splits, you’re not alone. Read on to learn what makes these systems so unique and why one might just be the perfect fit for your home.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Mandeville
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Heat Pumps and Mini Splits for Louisiana Homes