Cost efficient way to cool 1 room in house?

[JEDI]

with this crazy snow winter, i predict a VERY hot summer.

I know my 17yr old Central AC wont be able to handle a heat wave. (luckily, there hasnt been much a heat wave in Northern Va in the past few yrs.)

Unfortunately, replacing/grading it isnt cost effective:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2059243

And because of HOA rules, i'm not allowed a window AC unit. (i tried years ago, and got a warning letter from HOA threatening with fines if i didnt take it down.) 🙁

What other efficient ways are there to cool a room (ie: bedroom on 2nd floor of 2story house)?

edit:
I already Have a roof/attic fan.

 

[lxskllr]

Second story, that's tough for something immediate. Your best bet is to keep the sun from coming in the windows. A tree works great, but not enough time for that. Use window blinds. An attic fan can help, or you can hang a wet sheet, and blow a fan on it.

 

[onza]

FAN + Block of ice.

 

[BeauJangles]

windowless ac

 

[keird]

http://www.coolingline.com/portable-misting-fans.html

 

[drnickriviera]

there are portable a/c units that sit inside, and you run ducts to the window. They might not have a problem with that

 

[JEDI]

http://www.coolingline.com/portable-misting-fans.html

Portable Misting Fans?

wont this get my room wet?

 

[keird]

Portable Misting Fans?

wont this get my room wet?

Umm. Yeah. Yeah it will.

 

[Gibsons]

http://www.priceground.com/new-portable-air-conditioners.html
No experience with them, but as drnickriviera points out, the duct going to the window might not even be noticed by the HOA.

 

[arcenite]

Put a refridgerator in the room and leave it open

 

[MotF Bane]

Window AC unit, and go kill your HOA board.

 

[jamesbond007]

Why would anyone knowingly purchase a house that is 'operated' by a HOA board? I'd rather live in a box on another block...

 

[ElFenix]

mini split wall mount systems are the best thing ever for cooling one or two rooms. no idea why they're so hard to find in the US. probably because central air is seen as a high end feature. even though it's usually a giant sack of crap.
google shopping link

Why would anyone knowingly purchase a house that is 'operated' by a HOA board? I'd rather live in a box on another block...

don't even start that. we've been over this again and again.

 

[boomerang]

Bare breasted slaves with fans.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I would go for one of the units that sits on the floor and only has the intake duct running to the window. If it's quiet I doubt anyone would even notice.

 

[Jumpem]

Buy a house outside of a subdivision and HOA, then get a window unit.