A system and method for decreasing power consumption of hard disk drives through use of an external atmosphere of low density gas, such as helium, is described. An environment container reasonably resistant to diffusion and leakage of helium (container) is erected around an existing hard disk array or server, wherein a helium mixture is pumped into the container. The helium mixture within the container is maintained at a specified concentration via proper tubing and valves which may be manually or automatically controlled. The actual concentration need not be very pure in order to achieve reduced drag over the disks in each of the hard disk drives, thereby achieving reduced power consumption. The environment container is stand alone from the hard disk drives used such that an altered hard disk apparatus is unnecessary.