Google's Seasonal Savings program is now free for all Nest thermostat owners

Google's Seasonal Savings feature, which allows Nest thermostat owners to lower their energy bills, is now available for free to everyone. The feature was previously available only for customers of utilities with Seasonal Savings programs.

The Seasonal Savings feature helps you save energy and reduce your bills by making small schedule tweaks. It basically functions as a personal energy monitor, ensuring users save energy without compromising on comfort. Google claims the average customer can see up to 5 percent in energy savings on their home's HVAC systems with Seasonal Savings.

Seasonal Savings will begin rolling out to all Nest thermostat owners in the U.S. and Canada (except Quebec) starting this month. If you own a Nest thermostat, you will receive a notification on your device and in the Nest app to opt-in to Seasonal Savings. Once you opt-in, your thermostat will begin helping you save energy.

Google is also joining hands with various energy companies to offer Rush Hour Rewards to Nest thermostat owners. If you decide to sign up, your Nest thermostat will make changes to your home temperature when there's a peak in energy demand in your area, helping lower the demand while making sure you still stay comfortable.

The Nest thermostat can also use its sensors and your phone's location data (if you allow it) to check if you have left the house. It can then adjust the temperature to avoid wasting energy cooling an empty home. Once you come back, the thermostat will readjust the temperature to your preferred setting.