Around 2005, Todd tapped into a keen interest in solar energy and pondered a career switch. He recalls meeting soon-to-be Governor Brian Schwietzer and discussing whether he would support a Montana state tax credits for renewable energy. With a solid yes, Todd soon established Liquid Solar Systems in 2006 with a focus on the “liquid-side” of clean energy systems: solar hot water & solar space heating systems. Twenty years later, Schwietzer is long-retired; Todd is moving in that direction but remains passionate as ever about renewable energy, helping others move toward smarter, more sustainable buildings and energy systems.

A self-confessed renewable energy geek, Todd seeks out innovation and testing new products. He has installed, experimented with, replaced, and upgraded these systems. In 2006 Todd installed his first solar heating system on his house. In 2014 he and his wife built a super-insulated “almost net zero” house with radiant heat, solar heat, solar PV, and EV charging. The missing piece to becoming net-zero was clean energy space heating. So after some trial and error (testing different products) he settled on the Arctic Air-Water heat pump system.

As of 2025 Todd is semi-retired, and out of the day-to-day design, sales, and installation side of the business and passing that on to Nathan and Jeff. He is still plugged into the business, but with a lot less wrenching and computer time; and a lot more time to hit the trails, rivers, and ski slopes.

Nathan Iltis is the primary contact for design/sales of Arctic Heat Pump equipment in the northwest. Nathan attended Montana State University, graduating in 2014 with an engineering degree before moving on to Stanford to get a Master’s in Energy Engineering (Atmosphere/Energy) in 2018. At Stanford he was a course TA for Energy Efficiency Buildings, and Renewables & Electrification. His professional work has centered on buildings with efficient and sustainable design characteristics. Nathan went from grad school into consulting on all-electric buildings in the Rocky Mts and the West coast, spending 5-years advising on insulation, mechanical systems, passive heating, electrification and renewable energy sources with the company Beyond Efficiency. He understands the many options available to heat homes with modern heating systems in many climates, and often chooses such as A2W heat pump systems combined with gas/propane boiler backup, solar thermal and solar PV.

In 2023 Nathan purchased an Arctic A2W heat pump system from Liquid Solar and installed it himself for radiant heating and radiant cooling in his home in Bozeman. He asked so many annoyingly detailed questions during the process that Todd realized he may be the person he had been looking for to take over design and sales for heat pump and solar heating equipment. 

Nathan does some consulting work through his business Home Energy LLC but most of his time is taken up helping customers choose the right Arctic heat pump or solar heating system for their current project.  

Jeff Downer, although fairly new to the heat pump world, has a long history of electrical and plumbing experience, from vehicle builds and maintenance to construction to irrigation systems. When he was introduced to Todd with an invitation to explore the heat pump industry, he jumped at the opportunity. Two years into installing, learning via fire hydrant, he is honing his skills and the knowledge surrounding this intriguing industry. With over 20 heat pump system installs complete in the last year (both residential and commercial), Jeff has a desire to create functional and well-designed mechanical rooms, while providing the most efficient heating and cooling systems.  Jeff’s work is funneled from Nathan and Todd at Liquid Solar to his own new business, Legacy Heat Pumps. In April 2025 he hired his first employee.

Jeff lives in Belgrade, MT with his wife and two young children.