Randy, you could afford to buy a 60K TV so the difference in electric bill between the VT30 and an LED should not be a concern - that would just be a single decent meal per month for the TV's consumption alone, if ever - maybe no discernible difference at all. Just remember, we are talking of differential cost here because LED would not consume zero energy. Actually if you are going to compare the VT series to an equivalent high grade LED, baka mas malakas pa sa kuryente ang LED (and this is actually true for high end Sharps and Sonys) - it's not fair to compare a VT series to a mid class LED lalo na ang VT. Conservatively, you can reckon at no more than 30% of the nametag power rating under normal usage - based on the latest give data of Panasonic, my computation reads 25% for the VT30 - not surprising at all because my V plasma model 2010 was at 31% only and power consumption has been improving every year.
Some people or sellers would give you a figure of 50% (of the nametag rating) under normal usage. That's way too conservative IMO and in my experience, and probably applies to non VT models or other makers.
Magpapalakas ng kuryente mo would be extended usage of the AVR at high volume especially, the huge subwoofer and the power-hog aircon dahil maganda yung TV mo - in which case, can you blame the plasma?
IR is something you just have to live with. Deep Black + High Contrast Ratio + Nantoka Nantoka Video Engine = IR. Dont stress yourself too much on that.
.....then i decided na 50vt30 nlng..ang concern ko lang malakas sa kuryente daw and ung mga nababasa ko n image rention..bukas ko na makukuha ung tv sana ma enjoy ko ung plasma..