Serpentine setup

[MonzaRacer]

You can install the A/C compressor and not use it. If you never turn on your A/C in a car with it installed it is the same thing.
On the other hand, everything has a limited life. Never engaging the clutch means that the bearings for the pulley will always be used. That mean that the bearings will fail a little bit sooner. The question is when, and I don't think it'll be "sooner" enough to worry about.

Um hate to tell ya but the bearings are still used even when the compressor clutch is engaged.
All the clutch does is tie the outer hub to the inner hub which is splined to the compressor shaft.
Oh and if you use the right truck setup they do make ac delete idlers to replace bad compressors.