This is a special type of projector lamp and UHP stands for ‘ultra high performance', used to describe projector lamps used with LCD projectors. It is made from metal halide by the brand Philips. These types of projector lamps only require a low wattage to provide the equivalent brightness of a standard projector lamp which means a longer lamp life. UHP projector lamps work better with light and portable projectors and they are quieter, cooler and cheaper to use than the standard lamps due to the lower wattage.

When would you use halogen projector lamps?

Generally older projectors use halogen projector lamps which produce a yellow light. Whilst this type of projector lamp is cheaper to purchase they have a shorter life expectancy than the UHP projector lamps.

Why are projector lamps more expensive than household bulbs?

Some people consider that the price of projector lamps is expensive but projector lamps are very different to a normal household light bulb. Projector lamps tend to range from £120 for a lower lumen lamp to over £350 for UHP projector lamps and the average cost is around £250.

Projector lamps are particularly sophisticated items which are made to produce exceptional brightness and the assembly process is complex making some projector lamps more difficult to get hold of; it is not uncommon for projector lamps to be on backorder.

It is always recommended to have a spare projector bulb for your projector to avoid emergencies during important presentations or events.

How do you know the anticipated lamp life for your projector lamp?

The projector lamp life is expressed in the number of hours it is anticipated to work and the average is around 2000 hours. Some newer projector bulbs last 4000+ hours. Metal halide projector lamps will not burn out but grow dimmer. These projector lamps continue to function after they begin to dim. Many manufacturers' provide a peak rating when the projector lamp runs at 80 - 90% of its total brightness.

Projector lamps used 3-5 hours a day in dust free environments will likely last their entire lamp life as specified by the manufacturer.

Why does a projector image start to dim?

This may mean it is time to renew your projector lamp. Some projectors have a menu system which shows the number of hours the projector lamp has been used for.

How can you prolong your projector bulb life?

Excessive heat will cause your projector lamp life to be cut short so don't allow your projector to overheat.

Operate your projector in a dust free environment and ensure air filters are regularly cleaned.

Using economy mode on your projector will help your projector bulb last for longer and can double average lamp life in some cases.

Nearly all projectors possess a lamp hour counter which needs resetting when a new projector lamp is replaced. Check your user manual for instructions.

What warranties come with genuine projector lamps?

Manufacturer's warranties will vary but typically a projector lamp warranty will be between 60 - 90 days. Check the details of your individual projector lamp before purchasing.

How can I get the most for my money when using a projector lamp?

1. Always allow a cool down period for your projector after use or your projector bulb's life will shorten considerably. Many projectors will now power down themselves and the projector should not be moved whilst it is cooling down.
2. Always clean your projector filter regularly or your projector bulb may overheat and cleaning the filters may add several extra months to your projector lamp life.
3. Use eco-mode on your projector as much as possible. As an example a projector with 2000 lumens of light used with a projector lamp that has a 2000 hour rating may reduce to 1600 lumens in eco mode but projector lamp life will be boasted to 3000 hours.
4. Never move the projector when your projector lamp is cooling down because this will shorten the life of the projector bulb and could even blow the bulb completely.
5. Never cover the projector fan. The heat from the projector lamp needs to be dispersed out of the projector or the projector and projector bulb will overheat. Ensure your projector fan has a space of 2 or 3 feet from a solid object e.g. a wall to ensure it is not blocked.
6. Don´t jostle your projector, bump it or move it too quickly and certainly never do this when your projector is still on or cooling down. Multimedia projectors are sensitive to all movement and so are their projector lamps.
7. Most projectors are straightforward when it comes to replacing their projector bulbs and will often only mean undoing a few screws. Projector lamp glass and housing is very fragile and before you change your projector lamp consult your projector manual and instructions which come with a genuine replacement projector lamp.
8. Probably one of the most important pieces of advice is that you should never touch the glass housing that surrounds the projector lamp. It has been proven that natural oils from your fingers may cause your projector bulb to burn prematurely when handled. Your projector bulb needs to be handled with care as with the metal housing.
9. Ensure you always avoid hazardous climates. This means extreme cold such as in winter and hot summer temperatures. The worst of these is to expose a projector lamp to extreme cold temperatures. For example, should you decide to leave your projector in a car at a temperature of 40 degrees or under the projector lamp inside your projector unit is likely to explode the minute that the projector is turned on again. To avoid this situation always allow the projector to firstly warm to a room temperature and then turn the projector on. Allowing a gentle warming procedure with your unit will mean that you will avoid the dangerous and expensive scenario of an exploding projector bulb.
10. On a hot summer day should your projector be left in your car for example, this will have a similar effect on your projector lamp. Ideally, your projector should always be kept in an environment that is kept at a normal room temperature.