HotButton is Navien's wireless on-demand recirculation accessory for the NPE-A2. Press the button once before turning on the hot tap; the unit's internal recirc pump runs for about 90 seconds (or until the return-line temp confirms hot water has arrived at the fixture), then stops. The most energy-efficient recirculation mode in the residential tankless category.
How it works
- HotButton (a small wireless device, battery-powered) installs under the cabinet at the farthest fixture
- You press the button before opening the hot tap
- The button transmits to the NPE-A2's wireless receiver
- The NPE-A2 starts the internal recirc pump
- Pump runs until the return-line thermistor confirms hot water present (~90 seconds typical)
- You open the tap; hot water arrives immediately
- Pump shuts off automatically
What you get vs schedule-based recirc
- Maximum efficiency — pump only runs when actually needed. Schedule-based recirc runs the pump even when no one will draw water
- Faster hot water — when you do press the button, you wait 90 seconds. With schedule mode, you wait longer in the windows when the schedule hasn't started yet
- Lower gas bill — typical savings vs always-on: 50-90%. Vs schedule mode: 30-60%
Installation
- Choose a location near the farthest fixture (under sink is common)
- Mount the HotButton receiver near the NPE-A2 within wireless range
- Pair the wireless button to the receiver (typically a button-press sequence)
- Connect the receiver to the NPE-A2's HotButton input terminal
- Verify the receiver activates the recirc pump on button press
Battery life on the wireless button is typically 1-2 years on a standard AA or CR2032 — model dependent.
Multiple HotButtons
Up to 4 HotButtons can be paired to one NPE-A2 receiver. Useful for very large homes — buttons at each end of the house.
HotButton vs scheduled recirc
- HotButton wins for: households with predictable, intermittent hot water use (single person, working couple, people who shower at consistent times)
- Schedule mode wins for: households where multiple people draw water throughout the day and pressing the button feels cumbersome; or homes where the wait time matters more than energy cost
Bottom line
HotButton is the highest-ROI Navien accessory. Pay back the $80-120 button kit in 1-2 years on gas savings vs always-on recirc. See our recirculation guide for full options.