What is the only way to know for sure how much carbon monoxide you have coming out of the stack?

The only way to know for sure how much carbon monoxide (CO) is coming out of the stack is through flue gas analysis. This method involves using specialized equipment to sample and measure the composition of the exhaust gases. Flue gas analyzers can provide precise measurements of various gases, including carbon monoxide, which is critical for assessing combustion efficiency and safety.

Visual inspection does not provide quantitative data about gas concentrations; it may indicate the presence of emissions but cannot confirm levels of carbon monoxide. Temperature measurement can help evaluate the performance of the combustion process but does not directly measure the concentration of carbon monoxide. Similarly, a draft gauge reading can indicate how well the combustion gases are being expelled from the system but won't give any information about the specific composition of those gases. Thus, flue gas analysis is the only method that accurately determines the amount of carbon monoxide present in the stack emissions.