Thermosiphon systems are generally used from the ease of operation and maintenance point of view. For proper functioning it is necessary to have least amount of resistance in the Thermosiphon path and proper cold water supply. An automatic electric back up system is incorporated in some cases to ensure hot water availability throughout the year. Storage tanks are largely double walled, insulated systems with a variety of materials of construction in use ranging from metals like MS/GI, aluminum and copper to certain plastic materials like HDPE, Polypropylene, etc.

It is the flat plate collector - the heart of the system where a wide range of material and design choices are available now. The basic absorber could be galvanized steel, aluminum or copper and both flat black paint or selective coatings are available options. The glazing could be plain window glass, toughened glass or acrylic. Saw dust, cork etc are occasionally used for insulation. Majority of the commercially available collectors use mineral wool, glass wool or even polyurethane foam for bottom insulation. While wooden boxes are once again employed in some instances to contain insulation absorber etc. Metals like steel and aluminum as well as reinforced plastic are more frequently employed.