Yes, You Can Void Your Air Conditioning Unit's Warranty
When homeowners purchase air conditioning units, it's pretty much a guarantee that a warranty will come along with the investment. However, while it's easy to get a warranty, keeping a warranty is something entirely different. Oftentimes, people forget that air conditioning manufacturers can put warranty parameters on their equipment, and it's up to the owner to abide by them.
Installation
It doesn't matter how many online tutorials you watch; you probably don't have the level of skill necessary to install an air conditioning unit the correct way. If you ignore this factor and take it upon yourself to install the unit anyway, you can waive any coverage under a manufacturer warranty away.
The problem is that you're highly likely to cause damage to the unit during installation, such as drilling a hole in the wrong location. The manufacturer does not want to be responsible for damage to the unit that was caused by negligence on the part of the owner. The best way to protect your warranty is to let a professional install it for you.
Annual Maintenance
If you've heard an HVAC technician encourage you to commit to annual maintenance, it's not a sales pitch. Annual maintenance is critical to the efficient operation of an air conditioning unit. For instance, a clog in the ductwork will force the air conditioning unit to work harder.
However, as time passes, the clog will only grow larger and cause the unit to work harder, which will also cause it to wear faster. Annual maintenance would allow you to spot the problem faster so that you could rectify it before it caused greater damage. To ensure your warranty is protected, commit to this maintenance, and get it documented.
Equipment Replacement
Most manufacturers of air conditioning units have stipulations when it comes to the type of equipment you can use for replacements. For example, if years of wear and tear have caused the fan belt to fail, the next course of action would likely be to replace the belt.
However, you can't just purchase any fan belt from your local hardware store. The equipment manufacturer will outline specific replacement models that must be used. If you ignore this information and install a non-recommended fan belt and the unit fails, the warranty will also be in question, as the guidelines of the manufacturer were not followed.
An HVAC professional can help you maintain your warranty, but even more importantly, keep your air conditioning unit in better overall condition. Partner with an HVAC technician for all your repair and maintenance needs.