Around 2005, Todd Hoitsma 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 an affirmative response, Todd soon established Liquid Solar Systems in 2006 with a focus on the “liquid-side” of clean energy systems: solar hot water and 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 new technologies. 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 and slopes.

Nathan Iltis is the primary contact for design and sales of Arctic Heat Pump equipment for anyone located in Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Nathan attended Montana State University, graduating in 2014 with an engineering degree before moving on to Stanford University to get a Master’s in Energy Engineering (Atmosphere / Energy) in 2018. At Stanford he was a course Teaching Assistant for Energy Efficiency Buildings, and Renewables & Electrification. All of 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 Mountains 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 choses combination systems such as Air-to-Water (A2W) heat pumps combined with gas or propane boiler backup, solar thermal and solar PV.

In 2023 Nathan purchased an Arctic A2W heat pump system from Todd Hoitsma and installed it himself for radiant heating and radiant cooling in his own home in Bozeman, MT. 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 Arctic equipment and SunEarth 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, Jeff has a desire to create functional and well designed mechanical rooms, while providing efficient heating and cooling systems.