diff --git a/homeassistant/components/knx/climate.py b/homeassistant/components/knx/climate.py
index 803ded55441..91342cca839 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/knx/climate.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/knx/climate.py
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ from homeassistant.components.climate import ClimateEntity
 from homeassistant.components.climate.const import (
     CURRENT_HVAC_IDLE,
     CURRENT_HVAC_OFF,
-    HVAC_MODE_HEAT,
     HVAC_MODE_OFF,
     PRESET_AWAY,
     SUPPORT_PRESET_MODE,
@@ -187,6 +186,7 @@ class KNXClimate(KnxEntity, ClimateEntity):
             f"{self._device.target_temperature.group_address}_"
             f"{self._device._setpoint_shift.group_address}"
         )
+        self.default_hvac_mode: str = config[ClimateSchema.CONF_DEFAULT_CONTROLLER_MODE]
 
     async def async_update(self) -> None:
         """Request a state update from KNX bus."""
@@ -231,10 +231,9 @@ class KNXClimate(KnxEntity, ClimateEntity):
             return HVAC_MODE_OFF
         if self._device.mode is not None and self._device.mode.supports_controller_mode:
             return CONTROLLER_MODES.get(
-                self._device.mode.controller_mode.value, HVAC_MODE_HEAT
+                self._device.mode.controller_mode.value, self.default_hvac_mode
             )
-        # default to "heat"
-        return HVAC_MODE_HEAT
+        return self.default_hvac_mode
 
     @property
     def hvac_modes(self) -> list[str]:
@@ -248,12 +247,11 @@ class KNXClimate(KnxEntity, ClimateEntity):
 
         if self._device.supports_on_off:
             if not ha_controller_modes:
-                ha_controller_modes.append(HVAC_MODE_HEAT)
+                ha_controller_modes.append(self.default_hvac_mode)
             ha_controller_modes.append(HVAC_MODE_OFF)
 
         hvac_modes = list(set(filter(None, ha_controller_modes)))
-        # default to ["heat"]
-        return hvac_modes if hvac_modes else [HVAC_MODE_HEAT]
+        return hvac_modes if hvac_modes else [self.default_hvac_mode]
 
     @property
     def hvac_action(self) -> str | None:
diff --git a/homeassistant/components/knx/schema.py b/homeassistant/components/knx/schema.py
index 196c171c9b5..65ff6b3b8fa 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/knx/schema.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/knx/schema.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ from xknx.telegram.address import IndividualAddress, parse_device_group_address
 from homeassistant.components.binary_sensor import (
     DEVICE_CLASSES as BINARY_SENSOR_DEVICE_CLASSES,
 )
+from homeassistant.components.climate.const import HVAC_MODE_HEAT, HVAC_MODES
 from homeassistant.components.cover import DEVICE_CLASSES as COVER_DEVICE_CLASSES
 from homeassistant.components.sensor import STATE_CLASSES_SCHEMA
 from homeassistant.const import (
@@ -287,6 +288,7 @@ class ClimateSchema(KNXPlatformSchema):
     CONF_OPERATION_MODE_STANDBY_ADDRESS = "operation_mode_standby_address"
     CONF_OPERATION_MODES = "operation_modes"
     CONF_CONTROLLER_MODES = "controller_modes"
+    CONF_DEFAULT_CONTROLLER_MODE = "default_controller_mode"
     CONF_ON_OFF_ADDRESS = "on_off_address"
     CONF_ON_OFF_STATE_ADDRESS = "on_off_state_address"
     CONF_ON_OFF_INVERT = "on_off_invert"
@@ -362,6 +364,9 @@ class ClimateSchema(KNXPlatformSchema):
                 vol.Optional(CONF_CONTROLLER_MODES): vol.All(
                     cv.ensure_list, [vol.In(CONTROLLER_MODES)]
                 ),
+                vol.Optional(
+                    CONF_DEFAULT_CONTROLLER_MODE, default=HVAC_MODE_HEAT
+                ): vol.In(HVAC_MODES),
                 vol.Optional(CONF_MIN_TEMP): vol.Coerce(float),
                 vol.Optional(CONF_MAX_TEMP): vol.Coerce(float),
             }