diff --git a/ansible/host_vars/localhost b/ansible/host_vars/localhost
index 314b271..4598103 100644
--- a/ansible/host_vars/localhost
+++ b/ansible/host_vars/localhost
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ default_ironic_driver: ipmi
 
 # The default boot mode of a node. One of 'bios' or 'uefi'. Can be
 # overridden per-node via properties.capabilities.boot_mode.
-default_boot_mode: bios
+default_boot_mode: uefi
 
 # Maps Ironic drivers to the BMC emulation tool they support.
 bmc_emulators:
diff --git a/doc/source/configuration.rst b/doc/source/configuration.rst
index a2e66e3..2a007c8 100644
--- a/doc/source/configuration.rst
+++ b/doc/source/configuration.rst
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ Another variable that may be useful is ``bridge_type``. This may be either
 created by Tenks. This may be different from the type of interfaces or bridges
 in ``physnet_mappings``.
 
-The default boot mode is legacy BIOS. This may be changed to UEFI by setting
-``default_boot_mode`` to ``uefi`` in a variable file. The boot mode for nodes
+The default boot mode is UEFI. This may be changed to legacy BIOS by setting
+``default_boot_mode`` to ``bios`` in a variable file. The boot mode for nodes
 may be set individually via ``ironic_config.properties.capabilities.boot_mode``
 in the ``specs`` list.
 
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/default-uefi-126f76735950188c.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/default-uefi-126f76735950188c.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6b0bb8f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/default-uefi-126f76735950188c.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+upgrade:
+  - |
+    Changes the default boot mode to UEFI. The previous default of legacy BIOS
+    may be restored by setting ``default_boot_mode`` to ``bios``.