Chris Robarge is a web marketer for Bulbs.com, he previously managed the Customer Service department.

When I used to work in the Customer Service department here at Bulbs.com, an issue that would come up time and again was customers who were finding that their quartz halogen replacement bulbs did not last as long as they were supposed to. As it turns out, there is a common cause and an easy solution.

A common cause of early failure for quartz halogen bulbs is surface contamination, and the most likely source of contamination comes from touching the glass portion of the bulb with bare skin. Even clean skin will leave behind oils. This contamination causes a hot spot when the bulb is operated, which can result in cracks or bubbles that will allow halogen gas to leak out, resulting in early failure.

The easiest way to avoid contaminating a quartz halogen bulb is to never touch it with bare skin. Handle the bulb using a rubber glove if possible, a sandwich bag will work if a glove isn't available. If you do touch the bulb accidentally, it's best to clean it thoroughly with rubbing alcohol, as water alone will not remove all of the oils.

I hope this simple tip will help you keep your quartz halogen bulbs burning bright. If you've installed your bulb properly and you're still experiencing early failure, get in touch with a Bulbs.com Lighting Specialists by calling 888-455-2800 or emailing customerservice@bulbs.com. There may be a better bulb for the job, and we'll help you find it!