**An earlier version of this post included inaccurate information regarding Total Cost of Ownership and has since been corrected**

When deciding which light bulb to purchase, the cost of the bulb can be a major factor in your decision. But the cheapest bulb on the shelf might not always be the least expensive option in the long run. The truth is that the bulb you buy will determine your cost in the long term. Some bulbs cost more to use, operate, and maintain than others. These costs, all together, are known as your total cost of ownership. Total cost of ownership (TCO) is a financial estimate intended to help consumers and business owners determine the direct and indirect costs of a product. In terms of lighting, the cost of ownership takes into account the upfront cost of the product, the hours used, kWh rate, and the rated life of the light bulb.

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Most of the time it’s easy to see when technology is improving: new smartphones roll off the shelves every few months. But for other technologies, change can be harder to recognize—especially if you’re used to your current set up.

According to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, which is the most current data available, more than 2 million facilities built between 1980 and 2003 have been using the same lighting systems for the past few decades- despite the number of advances in lighting technology made since then. Three quarters of commercial buildings have outdated technology.

Do you know if yours does?

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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!