How to program hydronic baseboard and gas fireplace in same room

Hello,

We recently moved into a home that has hydronic baseboard heating, plus a gas fireplace with a blower in the living room. The living room has vaulted ceilings so the duel heat source is helpful in the winter. Each heating system is programmed by a separate programmable thermostat — one for baseboard and one for the fireplace. The baseboard is zoned to heat just the living room that is shared with the gas fireplace.

I am finding that the gas fireplace is often kicking on and heating the living room instead of the baseboard heaters. In fact, the baseboard heaters seem to not turn on at all when the gas fireplace is on. They are cool to the touch in the early mornings while the fireplace is on. We currently have both thermostats set to 71F with the baseboard turning on earlier than the gas fireplace.

For efficiency, I understand that the baseboard heaters are more efficient and I would prefer to use the baseboard as the primary heat source, and the gas fireplace as the secondary/supplementary heat source.

I wanted to ask the forum for suggestions on how to program each thermostat to optimize efficiency? If I can provide more info that would be helpful, I can do so.

Thanks everyone!