Good news - installing a gas or propane fireplace in your home does make the room more esthetically pleasing, but there are other benefits to it as well!
Furnaces are designed to heat your entire home using airflow to move the heat to all areas of the home throughout the ductwork. Running a fireplace in the area you're in, could be more effective than using your furnace alone. Whether you spend a good part of your day in a certain area of your home or if you sit down at night to relax, running a fireplace works as zone heating and will heat and regulate the temperature in that area only.
Setting your furnace thermostat at a lower temperature will keep you comfortable while working and sleeping and snuggling up by the fireplace when you're ready to relax will keep you warm and cozy.
Besides making sense, zone heating is without a doubt, a smart choice to reduce fuel and electrical costs.