A heater wire for removing condensation from a respiratory gas conduit is provided. The heater wire includes at least one groove disposed thereon. The heater wire is positioned in a respiratory gas conduit. The groove may wick up water from a condensation region within the respiratory gas conduit and transport the wicked up water from the condensation region to a re-evaporation region. The wicked up water may be evaporated by a hot surface of the wire.