Don´t move your projector:

While the projector lamp is still on (even while it is powering down), the lamp is very sensitive to movement. Moving the projector while the projector lamp is still on could cut down the lamp life, or of poorer quality, it could cause the projector lamp to burst.

Changing the projector lamp:

A projector lamp will gradually lose clarity over time. In fact, the curve is so slight that you may not even notice it. When your presentation or video has dimmed so much that you can hardly see the image, it’s time to order a new projector lamp. Another way that you’ll know that you need a projector lamp replacement is by viewing the total lamp hours used on the projector. All projectors have a built-in lamp hour counter that starts at zero when new, and should be reset once you change the projector lamp. You should be able to find the total projector lamp hours used within the menu system of your projector. Consult your users’ manual for instructions on how to check projector lamp hours on your model of projector.

Allow projector lamp to cool:

A filthy projector filter will cause it to run hotter and might cause the projector bulb to burn out prematurely. Therefore, we recommend cleaning the projector filter once a quarter with a can of compressed air. If your environment is smoke-filled or dusty, you may need to clean the projector filter monthly. The result of cleaning your projector filter regularly may result in additional months of use from your same projector bulb.

Give your projector “breathing room”:

Make your projector lamp last: Give your projector “breathing room”.
Pay attention to where the fan exhaust is on your DLP or LCD projector. All of the heat from the projector lamp must be dispersed away from the projector and exits at the fan exhaust. Make sure that this projector fan exhaust is two to three feet away from a wall or any solid object that could block it. Without “breathing” properly, the projector lamp will be too hot and could burn out much sooner. Make your DLP or LCD projector lamp last as long as possible by using this projector lamp tip.

Avoid dangerous climates:

The most hazardous climate to a projector lamp is extreme cold in the wintertime. If you leave a data/video projector in your car when it’s 40 degrees or below, the data/video projector lamp will have a tendency to explode if you turn the projector on instantly. You must allow the data/video projector to warm to room temperature before turning on the projector to avoid the unsafe situation of an exploding projector lamp.

Try to follow these tips to prolong your projectors life.

ViewSonic RLU-150-001 Projector Lamp For PJ500 PJ501 PJ650
Price: $359.99
The brightness of the PJ501 still stands out today blasting out 1500ANSI lumens, which is plenty of power for the standard consumer. Watching movies and television is painless on the eyes as it is bright enough even when some ambient light is present. The brightness does not fade even after years and maintenance is very low. The lamp lasts for 2000 hours and is low wattage therefore is more efficient and uses less energy. The resolution for the PJ501 makes up for the contrast by providing HDTV capability of up to 1080i and a native resolution of 1024×768p. It is weight less than 5 lbs and it’s very easy to mount into your ceiling.

Optoma Lamp 90day EP738
Price: $259.99

Optoma EP738

The EP738 offers a remarkably bright picture boasting 1800 ANSI lumens and a contrast ratio of 2000:1. Optoma has been able to take advantage of the entry level market by saving a little on quality, while still offering what customers want in a projector. Lamp life for the Optoma EP738 is quite basic at 2000 hours and, if you are ready to run your machine in eco-mode and give up brightness you can widen that up to 3000 hours. Do not expect to be wirelessly networking with this machine, because that would be an expensive feature that is not present on this projector. However, you do have the option of spending more on a better lenses and upgrading the quality of your picture.