LED is fine for small screens. Unfortunately, as screen size increases, light control across the screen decreases. (blotchy dark scenes at home at night). They are probably about four years off getting this remedied. So, no, on LED for now.
Plasma consumes too much power? Compared to what? A 60+" plasma uses about what a PC workstation does. Around 100 to 400 watts while in use. Actual power use depends upon the brightness of the scene at the time. They aren't awful by any means. Also best picture these days is plasma. Panasonic. An despite Steve's uninformed claims, you can game on a Plasma without worry these days. Sorry Steve that was NOT meant to sound that douchey. See link.
http://reviews.cnet.com/plasma-burn-in-seven-things-you-need-to-know/LCD is the only choice you are giving yourself.
Now for a brand...
NOT Phillips, JVC, or Toshiba.
These are doing well...
Vizio, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, LG... I would expect you are going to be in the 32 to 47" range mostly 32 to 40".
Maybe...
Hannspree?? Dunno.
Look for...
-120Hz (anything beyond is meaningless)
-At least 3 HDMI inputs (newer models are going with 5)
-1080P (on a 30" and lower this is immaterial)
-Upconversion (this makes standard definition signal not look like godawful shit)
-3D (I fucking hate it but it is coming like it or not)
-Sadly you have to disregard brightness as it is a trumped up number.
-Also please do not be a Tool and think that you can tell which tv looks better while you are in the store. You can't. Nobody can. Shitty signal distribution, non-home lighting, amped up demo settings, and so on all add up to making in-store reviewing impossible in most situations. Very high end salons are usually a rare exception.
-If you are debating between two televisions, off-axis viewing is a good way to differentiate them.
-Don't get a high gloss screen. Pain in the ass if you have any light in the room.
Try to look at Costco, HH Gregg, Sam's, and Walmart. They all have decent pricing and selections. Try to disregard anything the sales people say. It is always biased and rarely based in any real knowledge of the products.
Here are a couple quick (not well researched) possibilities.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11539014&whse=BC&Ne=5000000%204000000&eCat=BC|90607|2341&N=4047302%204294899947%205000107&Mo=5&No=2&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=
Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vizio-E470VL/13904838http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony-KDL32EX500/13812461http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod1842096&navAction=pushhttp://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod1401567&navAction=pushhttp://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=n&ProductID=73451Feel free to research anything I have mentioned on the net. It is all good info.
My final advice...
Wait. Save up a bit. Get a 50+". Different manufacturing processes. Newer with superior feature sets, quality, and reliability. Spend in the $1200 to $1440 range. You will likely be far better off in the long run.
Do not forget the upconverter advice!!