It's an inverter unit, meaning it runs constantly. Start up is when the most wear on the system & power consumption occurs.
Keep in mind, a system generally is either optimized for cooling or heating. I chose cooling because this climate is like living in "hell." Hot & humid, not to mention I'm heat intoletant.
Sizing the unit correctly is very important because if it's too small, it will struggle & if oversized, it will not dehumidify.
So, while it sounds inefficient to have the unit running 24/7, my power bill has dropped from near $300/ mo to $70-80/mo.
Not running the cooling (or heat) through ducts in a hot or cold attic or crawl space is incredibly efficient. Especially considering the horrid state of the duct work. Incredible!
Feel free to pm if you have questions. Always happy to help. 
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