System and method for operating a compressor of an HVAC system

A controller of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, wherein the controller comprises a non-transitory, computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by processing circuitry of the controller, are configured to cause the controller to:

• receive a call for cooling from a non-communicating thermostat;
• initialize operation of the HVAC system in response to receipt of the call for cooling:
• receive data indicative of an operating parameter of the HVAC system;
• determine an upper suction pressure limit of the HVAC system based on the data;
• determine a lower suction pressure limit of the HVAC system based on the data;
• determine a target suction pressure value of the HVAC system, wherein the target suction pressure value is less than or equal to the upper suction pressure limit and is greater than or equal to the lower suction pressure limit;
• iteratively reduce the target suction pressure value;
• and
• modulate operation of a compressor of the HVAC system based on the target suction pressure value.

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:

• a compressor configured to operate at variable capacities;
• and
• a controller configured to communicatively couple to the compressor, wherein the controller is configured to:
• receive a call for cooling from a non-communicating thermostat;
• initialize operation of the compressor in response to receipt of the call for cooling:
• receive data indicative of an outdoor ambient temperature;
• compare the outdoor ambient temperature to a threshold temperature value;
• establish a lower suction pressure limit and an upper suction pressure limit based on the comparison;
• determine a target suction pressure value, wherein the target suction pressure value is less than or equal to the upper suction pressure limit and is greater than or equal to the lower suction pressure limit;
• and
• modulate operation of the compressor such that a detected suction pressure of the HVAC system approaches the target suction pressure value.