Correct. Mainly because I worry about security breaches, but partly because I wouldn’t know where to start if I did want to.
When I said inverter soft start I was being a bit sloppy with my terminology. I meant that the inverter frequency gradually increases over the first minute or so after compressor start, minimising stress on the mechanical components. (If you read https://www.gandgcontrols.co.uk/post/understanding-motor-starting-methods-dol-star-delta-soft-start-inverter you’ll see that technically a soft start is a ramp up of motor voltage rather than a ramp up of inverter frequency.)
Heat pump cycling: There are loads of internet reference saying normal = 2-3 times per hour (e.g. Heat Pump Cycles Per Hour: Comprehensive Guide to Optimal Performance - hvac.science ) so it’s not just me saying that.
What I suspect you are seeing is your compressor running up to full speed soon (a few minutes) after it starts, so drawing fairly high power. This is because your LWT is still well below the weather compensation target and your roomstat is not satisfied. Once your LWT rises to 1-2degC below target, the controller starts reducing compressor speed (PID action, so as not to overshoot). This LWT heating may take 15 minutes or more, depending on the thermal inertia of your circulating fluid (including its containment). And slugging the inverter (e.g. Quiet Mode) won’t reduce your overall power consumption because you’ll just be drawing lower power for longer. [According to my limited data, it’s actually better to run at full speed for a short time than a lower speed for longer because the compressor efficiency falls off if it’s not running at synchronous speed 50Hz.]