Formula Fabrication, a Libby heating and cooling business, recently received an award for installing more ductless heat pumps than any other business in Montana.

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes energy-efficient products and practices in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana, presented business owners Frank and Karee Sweedman the award at a recent conference in Portland, Ore.

“Out of all distributors and dealers in Montana we were No. 1, which is phenomenal,” Karee Sweedman said.

“We knew we were doing good work, but we didn’t know at what level,” said Macen Barmore, refrigerator technician for Formula Fabrication.

A ductless heat pump can heat and cool a room using 3.5 to 5 times less energy than standard heaters or air conditioners, Frank Sweedman said. With rebates from Flathead Electric and the federal government covering much of the purchase and installation cost, it became a popular product in Libby.

“I think the market was right,” Frank Sweedman said. “It took us off guard how many we were installing.”

Formula Fabrication has been in business for two years and began installing ductless heat pumps in June. The Sweedmans attribute their success to customer service.

“I believe the reason we got it is that our customers are No. 1,” Karee Sweedman said. “They told others and it helped promote the program.”