The question should not be why get an electric fireplace as much as it should be Why not? There are so many benefits to owning an one that even people in the deep south where in the winter it might not get over 60 degrees are buying them up like hot cakes!
The first and most obvious reason to own one would be heat or warmth. No one likes to be cold and adding one to your home or apartment will keep you warm and crispy on even the coldest of days.
Which brings me to my next point. Is an electric fireplace going to cost a load of money to run during the winter? No they will not. On average you can expect to pay around 2 - 7 cents per hour of use when running one of these. The exact price depends on which model you are running and how many BTUS it is producing to keep you warm.
If you live in a condo or apartment, chances are you do not have a chimney or even a vent. A traditional fireplace is not even an option for you. That is where an electric model has such a huge advantage. You do not need a chimney or any vents to run them and they look so realistic that most people would not even know the difference.
Do you already own a traditional fireplace? You can get an electric fireplace insert that fits right into your fireplace and take advantage of all of the benefits too! No more worrying about sparks popping out and catching fire. No more messy soot! They just make things so much easier!