In which scenario would a project need an energy rater in addition to a Green Rater?

A project requires an energy rater in addition to a Green Rater primarily when performing energy modeling. This is because energy modeling involves specialized knowledge and expertise to analyze a building's energy performance. The energy rater is responsible for creating and assessing simulations that predict how much energy the building will consume based on its design, materials, and systems used.

The involvement of an energy rater ensures that the predictions made during the modeling process are accurate and comply with the energy-related prerequisites and credits of the LEED certification system. The Green Rater, while knowledgeable about overall sustainable practices, focuses more on the general green building aspects, such as site considerations, material selections, and overall performance metrics.

In contrast, verifying aesthetic components, conducting a final walkthrough, and assessing water retention do not inherently require the detailed energy analysis that energy modeling necessitates. These tasks can typically be managed by the Green Rater, who oversees the broader aspects of sustainability in the project rather than the specific energy performance metrics.