A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning ("HVAC") system for use with a refrigerant. The HVAC system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator expansion device, and an evaporator. The HVAC system also includes a thermal energy storage device ("TESD") including thermal energy storage media in line between the condenser and evaporator. A control system is programmed to operate the compressor and the evaporator expansion device to control the refrigerant flow through the HVAC system. The control system is also programmed to control the refrigerant flow through the TESD to charge the TESD with thermal energy. The control system is also programmed to control the refrigerant flow through the evaporator expansion device and evaporator and discharge the thermal energy from the charged TESD to improve the performance of the HVAC system.