? Meter and Temperatures Question

[H.M. Victor (GA)]

Last year we were having continuous problems with our heater not working during the tail end of the winter months, and we still seem to be having issues with it now as well as the thermometer that displays the temperature in our apartment. Last night it got down to the mid 40's outside and our heater would not come on, so it got pretty cool in here by morning as a result, and our thermometer in here read 72 but there is no way that was correct, it was definitely colder than that. In the manual for the Relion Confirm it says it needs to be at operating temperatures between 50 - 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and I know it will display a symbol if it's been in temperatures too hot or cold, but where/when exactly is it displayed if there is an issue with that?
I would like some input from anybody who's familiar with the Relion Confirm on how much of a problem you think this could be in regards to the meter functioning properly if it continues to get cool/cold in here from our heater not working, as well as suggestions on how we could try to keep the meter warmer while it's stored or just any advice at all on working around this issue until our maintenance can get it fixed (hopefully, because I lost count of how many times they came down to "fix" it last year and it never actually got fixed).

 

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

I'm not sure exactly about the relion confirm but if the battery gets too cold it would deplete itself so you need to keep the batteries kind of warm this may sound crazy but I used to do this with camera's batteries you could keep the meter with you your body will keep the meter and the battery warm at least long enough for you to use it and try to keep a good stock of new batteries just in case

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

I can't see how temperature itself would affect the meter only. Cameras and phones work fine in the winter and summer. The strips work on a chemical reaction and batteries are affected by cold. Find a way to keep those at a reasonable temperature and replace batteries well before you think they need replacing.
Small space heaters have come a long way in the last few years as far as safety and accuracy. Keeping your supplies in a bathroom or a walk-in closet might work.
Aquarium thermometers are deadly accurate, small and cheap. It could be a draft that's making it feel like less than 72. Is it the thermostat that reads 72? We are on our third thermostat because I know what they say and what it is are two different things.

 

[H.M. Victor (GA)]

Is it the thermostat that reads 72?

Yes, it's the thermostat - I couldn't think of the word when I posted. Our apartment is very poorly insulated to begin with anyway, so even when our heater is working correctly it still never quite stays as warm as we would like during the winter.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

If you have electric heating or typical apartment steam/baseboard heating there's a chance the thermostat reads what the temperature should be. I know I should be cleaning the house right now but...

 

[Larry and Kitties]

The strips work on a chemical reaction and batteries are affected by cold.

The rate and extent of chemical reaction is temperature dependent and temperature being out of range can thus affect the BG reading.

 

[H.M. Victor (GA)]

The rate and extent of chemical reaction is temperature dependent and temperature being out of range can thus affect the BG reading.

Is there any way to tell if the reading has been affected by the temperature being out of range?

I've been putting both the meter and the bottle of test strips in my pockets to warm them up for a few minutes prior to doing his tests, is that enough to ensure the readings will be valid? Or do they need to be stored at the proper temperature range as well?

I've really been stressing about this because it gets pretty cool/cold in here with our furnace not working correctly and I don't want to be giving his shots based on results that could be inaccurate. I would really appreciate your input.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Is there any way to tell if the reading has been affected by the temperature being out of range?

I've been putting both the meter and the bottle of test strips in my pockets to warm them up for a few minutes prior to doing his tests, is that enough to ensure the readings will be valid? Or do they need to be stored at the proper temperature range as well?

I've really been stressing about this because it gets pretty cool/cold in here with our furnace not working correctly and I don't want to be giving his shots based on results that could be inaccurate. I would really appreciate your input.

My guess is that unless your meter and strips are close to freezing they'll work properly. Putting them in your pocket to to warm them up won't hurt though.

 

[SpotsMom]

I don’t use a relion meter but according to the users manual it will error out if the temp is outside the usable range of 50-104 F. If you’re not getting an error it is most likely still within the 20% margin of error.
The attached image is what I found online.

Edit: not sure why I said 120 in the original post. Corrected...

 

[H.M. Victor (GA)]

Ugh, furnace is not working again and the manager of our apartment is brushing it off like nothing is wrong because he thinks we don't know what we're talking about/how to work the furnace (we've lived here for 18 years so we know damn well how to work the furnace) and we've already had so many maintenance/specialists over to fix it and nothing has worked so far, so we really think he just doesn't want to keep forking out the money for specialists to actually find out what is wrong. Last night it was in the upper 30's outside, so we're freezing our butts off

 

[Ana & Frosty (GA)]

Cameras and phones work fine in the winter and summer.

Actually, when we snowboard in cold temperatures (20F and under), our phones often shut off and then turn on when we go inside and they warm up.

We found a hack - hand warmers in the pocket where the phone is. That way we can reach each other if one of us gets into trouble (like when I went I to the glades one time and got lost and couldn’t get out). Whoops... sorry, slightly OT.

 

[Ana & Frosty (GA)]

Ugh, furnace is not working again and the manager of our apartment is brushing it off like nothing is wrong because he thinks we don't know what we're talking about/how to work the furnace (we've lived here for 18 years so we know damn well how to work the furnace) and we've already had so many maintenance/specialists over to fix it and nothing has worked so far, so we really think he just doesn't want to keep forking out the money for specialists to actually find out what is wrong. Last night it was in the upper 30's outside, so we're freezing our butts off

Ugh that’s so frustrating!!! I lived in apartments my whole life and temperature was always an issue!

 

[H.M. Victor (GA)]

Ugh that’s so frustrating!!! I lived in apartments my whole life and temperature was always an issue!

This is the first/only apartment we've ever lived in, but temperature is always an issue for us too, especially during the winter. Even with the furnace working it still doesn't stay consistently warm enough, and the 2 bedrooms in the back are always colder than the rest of the apartment.

Luckily we were able to get a couple of the maintenance guys to check out our furnace without going through our manager, and they replaced a couple of things and it seems to be working as it should now. Fingers crossed that it stays that way.