Daniel Ellis, President of Oklahoma City-based ClimateMaster, received the Rittinger Medal on May 14, 2014 at the 11th IEA Heat Pump Conference in Montreal, Canada.
The Ritter von Rittinger Medal is the highest international award in the air conditioning, heat pump and refrigeration field. The award recognizes individuals or teams that have distinguished themselves in the advancement of heat pump technology, applications, and market development activities with lasting international impact. It is granted every three years by the International Energy Agency Heat Pump Program.
The award is named after Peter Ritter von Rittinger, an engineer credited with the design and installation of the first practical heat pump system at a salt works in Upper Austria in 1856. This year, five individuals were presented this award by Dr. Sophie Hosatte, Chair of the IEA Heat Pump Program Executive Committee.
“It is my great pleasure to recognize these dignified gentlemen and honor them with the industry’s most prestigious prize,” said Dr. Sophie Hosatte during the ceremony. “Our award winners are undoubtedly five of the most influential individuals also in the history of the IEA Heat Pump Program.”
"I am extremely honored to receive this award and to be recognized alongside these industry leaders," said Ellis. “ClimateMaster's relentless pursuit of technological and marketing innovation and our long-standing commitment to industry stewardship have no doubt made this award possible."
Daniel Ellis's technical contributions include residential energy analysis and
system design software, advanced technology heat pumps and
innovations in the design of large commercial heat pump systems.
Daniel Ellis joined ClimateMaster in 1995. Previously co-founder and president of WaterFurnace, he has been active in the geothermal heat pump (GHP) field since 1978 and is widely recognized as one of the industry pioneers. His technical contributions include residential energy analysis and system design software, advanced technology heat pumps and innovations in the design of large commercial heat pump systems. Ellis is also an ardent industry advocate, most notably leading the effort that resulted in the current U.S. federal tax incentives for geothermal heat pumps.
Ellis is chairman of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Water-Source Heat Pump sub-section and is currently a Director-at-Large on the AHRI Board. He is also chairman of subcommittee TC86/SC6 within the International Standards Organization (ISO), which is responsible for air-conditioner and heat pump rating standards.
Ellis is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and a member of the U.S. National Team for the International Energy Agency (IEA) Heat Pump Program. He also serves on the board of the Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO).
Ellis majored in Physics at Purdue University. He is married, has two children and four grandchildren. He resides with his wife Rose in Edmond, Okla.