By definition, energy efficiency means using the minimum amount of energy to produce the most output.  That being said, doesn't it make sense to use technology that works by starting with a low energy boost and increasing to get the desired effect, rather than going full blast and wasting energy getting down to where you want to be?

That is the idea behind Variable Speed Technology.  With the changes currently taking place within the newer HVAC systems, moving from single-stage to multi-stage or modulating systems, variable speed motors or inverters, will certainly be the preferred method in the near future.  With inverter technology,  you can attain the full potential of a system...and the greatest amount of comfort for the consumer.

As energy costs continue to skyrocket, the up-front costs of inverter motors are no longer a hindering factor in their purchase.  When talking about heat pumps for example, the cost of power consumption can be up to 85% of a pump's lifetime costs.  When buying a unit with variable speed technology, many units will offer payback in as little as two years.  In a residential air conditioning system, a SEER increase of 4-5 points can be attained with an inverter unit compared to a fixed speed system. This is definitely something to consider before purchasing a mini-split system.

As with any new technology, you may pay a little more initially, but in this case, the long-lasting benefits are worth the cost.