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Lake City HVAC Schools

HVAC Schools in Lake City, FL

4 of the 4 HVAC programs within 60 miles of Lake City publish evening or weekend classes, so you can keep a day job while you train.

By the HVAC Technician Careers editorial teamUpdated September 26, 2026

A technician shining a flashlight into the top of a home's outdoor air conditioning unit
Photo: Kathleen Austin Kuhn / Pexels

Where Can You Take HVAC Classes in Lake City After Work?

  • Night or weekend classes: Florida Gateway College, Riveroak Technical College, Santa Fe College and Florida State College at Jacksonville.
  • Florida Gateway College in Lake City, 5 miles away, offers Commercial Heating and Air Conditioning Technology, O.C. (ACRV-CER).
  • Riveroak Technical College in Live Oak, 22 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning/Refrigeration 1 (Postsecondary Career Certificate).
  • Santa Fe College in Gainesville, 37 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology Career Certificate (7601) and Heating and Air Conditioning Apprenticeship Career Certificate (7631).
  • EPA 608: 3 of these 4 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
  • HVAC pay in Florida: a median $56,670 a year (BLS, May 2025).

HVAC Classes in Lake City: 4 Schools Teach Evenings or Weekends

  • Florida Gateway CollegeDaytime classes run Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; evening classes run Monday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • Riveroak Technical CollegeClasses meet in the evening, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., across a fall term (August to December) and a spring term (January to May).
  • Santa Fe CollegeThe certificate starts each fall. Apprentices attend class two nights a week in fall and spring terms while working for a sponsoring contractor.

Also publishing schedules: Florida State College at Jacksonville (60 miles). See each profile for times.

Compare HVAC Programs Near Lake City

SchoolDistanceTuition and feesHVAC awardsGraduation rate
Florida Gateway CollegeLake City5 miles$3,1001154%
Riveroak Technical CollegeLive Oak22 miles0
Santa Fe CollegeGainesville37 miles$2,5631053%
Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville60 miles$2,8782537%

HVAC programs near Lake City, sorted by straight-line distance. Tuition: 2024–25 full-time rate. Awards: HVAC credentials conferred (NCES College Navigator). Graduation rate is school-wide. Blank cells have no federal figure.

Best HVAC Schools in Lake City for What You Need

Closest to Lake CityFlorida Gateway College5 miles from the city centerLowest TuitionSanta Fe College$2,563 a year, in-state (2024–25)Most HVAC AwardsFlorida State College at Jacksonville25 HVAC credentials in 2024–25Working AdultsRiveroak Technical CollegeEvening or weekend classes published

HVAC Schools in Lake City: Florida Gateway College and 3 Others

Lake City · 5 mi from Lake CityPublic, 4-year

Florida Gateway College

Offers a certificate in HVAC

  • Evening Classes
Tuition / year
$3,100
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
11
conferred 2024–25

The closest campus to Lake City; evening or weekend classes.

Covers Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning · Commercial

Jacksonville · 60 mi from Lake CityPublic, 4-year

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Offers a certificate in HVAC

  • Evening Classes
  • EPA 608 Prep
Tuition / year
$2,878
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
25
conferred 2024–25

The most HVAC awards nearby (25 in 2024–25); evening or weekend classes.

Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning · Ductwork

Gainesville · 37 mi from Lake CityPublic, 4-year

Santa Fe College

Offers 2 certificates in HVAC

  • Evening Classes
  • EPA 608 Prep
Tuition / year
$2,563
in-state, 2024–25
HVAC awards
10
conferred 2024–25

The lowest tuition of the 3 HVAC schools here ($2,563); evening or weekend classes.

Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning

Live Oak · 22 mi from Lake CityPublic, 2-year

Riveroak Technical College

Offers a certificate in HVAC

  • Evening Classes
  • EPA 608 Prep
HVAC awards offered
1
certificates and degrees

Evening or weekend classes.

Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning · Ductwork

Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026. Distances are straight-line from Lake City.

How Long HVAC Programs Near Lake City Take

  • Florida Gateway CollegeCommercial Heating and Air Conditioning Technology, O.C. (ACRV-CER): 1,350 clock hours (45 credits)
  • Riveroak Technical CollegeHeating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning/Refrigeration 1 (Postsecondary Career Certificate): 750 clock hours
  • Santa Fe CollegeHeating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning/Refrigeration Technology Career Certificate (7601): 1350 contact hours; Heating and Air Conditioning Apprenticeship Career Certificate (7631): 4 years; 8,628 total contact hours

HVAC Technician Pay in Florida

Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in Florida (39,160 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Questions About HVAC Schools in Lake City

How Much Do HVAC Schools in Lake City Cost?

Santa Fe College charges the least, $2,563 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); Florida Gateway College charges $3,100. Tools and books cost extra (Santa Fe College budgets $783 for books and supplies).

How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Lake City?

It depends on the credential. At Florida Gateway College, the closest program that publishes lengths, Commercial Heating and Air Conditioning Technology, O.C. (ACRV-CER) runs 1,350 clock hours (45 credits). Certificates and diplomas are the usual credentials here.

How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Lake City?

HVAC mechanics and installers in Florida earn a median $56,670 a year (BLS, May 2025), 7% below the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $78,210.

What Is the Best HVAC School Near Lake City?

Florida Gateway College scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 11 HVAC awards in 2024–25. Florida State College at Jacksonville ranks second.

Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Lake City?

Riveroak Technical College, Santa Fe College and Florida State College at Jacksonville name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.

Are There Night HVAC Classes Near Lake City?

Yes. Florida Gateway College (5 miles), Riveroak Technical College (22 miles) and Santa Fe College (37 miles) publish evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.

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Sources

  1. Official HVAC program pages of the 4 schools above (each profile links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (IPEDS).
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.