The orientation of envelope elements defines thermal load distribution and directly influences energy demand and indoor conditions. This study analyzes the relationship between orientation and thermal load in a standard 9 m2 room in Daqing, China, under winter and summer conditions. A hybrid model based on differential and global approaches quantified heat transfer and identified the elements with the highest thermal demand. The distribution of thermal loads varied by orientation and surface type. East–west façades concentrated the highest cooling loads during summer, while the roof and glazing contributed most to heat loss in winter. In response to these variations, orientation optimization reduced heating demand by up to 40%. Proper opening placement and high-performance materials lowered energy use by 46%. Wall and roof insulation achieved 70.3% energy savings with a six-year payback. Low-emissivity glazing and external shading preserved thermal stability and reduced operational costs. These results support passive strategies with thermal and economic value.