diff --git a/config/config.default.yaml b/config/config.default.yaml
index 1d28223f..661f855e 100644
--- a/config/config.default.yaml
+++ b/config/config.default.yaml
@@ -376,7 +376,7 @@ sector:
       2045: 0.8
       2050: 1.0
     district_heating_loss: 0.15
-  cluster_heat_buses: false
+  cluster_heat_buses: true
   bev_dsm_restriction_value: 0.75
   bev_dsm_restriction_time: 7
   transport_heating_deadband_upper: 20.
diff --git a/doc/release_notes.rst b/doc/release_notes.rst
index a48d1a4e..1753c89a 100644
--- a/doc/release_notes.rst
+++ b/doc/release_notes.rst
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ Upcoming Release
 
 * Stacktrace of uncaught exceptions should now be correctly included inside log files (via `configure_logging(..)`).
 
+* Cluster residential and services heat buses by default. Can be disabled with ``cluster_heat_buses: false``.
 
 PyPSA-Eur 0.9.0 (5th January 2024)
 ==================================