A humidification system adapted to deliver humidified gases at a desired level of humidity, flow and temperature to a patient comprising: (a) gases supply means providing a flow of gases, (b) humidification means having an electrical input power and capable of humidifying said gases up to a level of humidity prior to delivery to said patient, (c) flow measuring means that determines the flow of said gases before entry of said gases to said humidification means, (d) humidity sensing means measuring the humidity of said gases before entry of said gases to said humidification means, (e) first temperature sensing means measuring the temperature of the air external to said humidification system, (f) transportation pathway means, having a heating means, said pathway means conveying said humidified gases from said humidification means to said patient, and (g) control means including stored instructions to: i) determine a transportation pathway heating means input power based on at least said temperature of said air as measured by said first temperature sensing means and said flow of said gases as measured by said flow measuring means, ii) determine a humidification means input power based on at least said flow of said gases as measured by said flow measuring means and said humidity of said gases as measured by said humidity sensing means to achieve said desired humidity, flow and temperature of said gases, which are to be supplied to said patient. (a) gases supply means providing a flow of gases, (b) humidification means having an electrical input power and capable of humidifying said gases up to a level of humidity prior to delivery to said patient, (c) flow measuring means that determines the flow of said gases before entry of said gases to said humidification means, (d) humidity sensing means measuring the humidity of said gases before entry of said gases to said humidification means, (e) first temperature sensing means measuring the temperature of the air external to said humidification system, (f) transportation pathway means, having a heating means, said pathway means conveying said humidified gases from said humidification means to said patient, and (g) control means including stored instructions to: i) determine a transportation pathway heating means input power based on at least said temperature of said air as measured by said first temperature sensing means and said flow of said gases as measured by said flow measuring means, ii) determine a humidification means input power based on at least said flow of said gases as measured by said flow measuring means and said humidity of said gases as measured by said humidity sensing means to achieve said desired humidity, flow and temperature of said gases, which are to be supplied to said patient. i) determine a transportation pathway heating means input power based on at least said temperature of said air as measured by said first temperature sensing means and said flow of said gases as measured by said flow measuring means, ii) determine a humidification means input power based on at least said flow of said gases as measured by said flow measuring means and said humidity of said gases as measured by said humidity sensing means to achieve said desired humidity, flow and temperature of said gases, which are to be supplied to said patient.