System and method for operating a compressor of an energy efficient heat pump

A controller of an energy efficient heat pump, 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 heating from a non-communicating thermostat;
• determine an upper discharge pressure limit of the energy efficient heat pump;
• determine a lower discharge pressure limit of the energy efficient heat pump;
• determine a target discharge pressure value of the energy efficient heat pump, wherein the target discharge pressure value is less than or equal to the upper discharge pressure limit and is greater than or equal to the lower discharge pressure limit;
• iteratively increase the target discharge pressure value;
• and
• modulate operation of a compressor of the energy efficient heat pump based on the target discharge pressure value.

An energy efficient heat pump, 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 heating from a non-communicating thermostat;
• and
• in response to receipt of the call for heating:
• establish a lower discharge pressure limit of the energy efficient heat pump;
• establish an upper discharge pressure limit of the energy efficient heat pump;
• determine a target discharge pressure value, wherein the target discharge pressure value is less than or equal to the upper discharge pressure limit and is greater than or equal to the lower discharge pressure limit;
• and
• modulate operation of the compressor such that a detected discharge pressure of the energy efficient heat pump approaches the target discharge pressure value.