Just realized my swamp cooler was fighting my whole house fan, and I finally figured it out after 2 summers | Albuquerque Home Improvement - Opinions Matter
Airflow in a house is one big loop, so pulling air in one spot and pushing it out another can cancel itself out without you even noticing. Bet a lot of people blame the cooler for being weak when it's really just the fan stealing its pressure. Worth checking which way your doors swing too, since a closed bedroom door can mess with the whole path.