Provided are systems and methods for humidifying gas to be provided to a patient utilizing heating of an aerosolized mist. A humidification unit (201a) is provided a patient circuit (209) that provides gas to a patient. The humidification unit includes a liquid chamber (303) that receives liquid from a liquid source (203), a nebulizer (305) that nebulizes liquid from the liquid chamber, an aerosol chamber (307) that receives aerosolized liquid from the nebulizer, and a heat source (309a) that converts the aerosolized liquid into a vapor that humidifies gas in the patient circuit.
