The bill isn’t for the charity that Ms Irwin founded, the Pay it Forward Community Shed, but for her personal residence.

In May, Ms Irwin downsized into a Glenroi home in a bid to cut her energy costs. 

While she said the cost had fallen, it wasn’t enough.

According to her electricity company, Origin Energy, electricity usage was 65.42 kilowatt hours per day which costs up to $18.96 per day.

Ms Irwin said the money she owes was made up of a bill from May to July for $1100 and then another for $1700 from July to October.

She’s awaiting an energy assessment team to visit to help her cut costs.

An Origin Energy spokesman said the company’s website featured several tips to understand bill shock and cut electricity usage.

Those tips include reviewing whether there’s new appliances, extra people at home, if electricity prices have risen, or if the metre has been estimated.

“We’re always happy to explain the reasons for this, provide guidance on energy savings where possible, or have a conversation about our support for those customers having trouble paying their energy bills,” the spokesman said.

However, Ms Irwin said for many people in Orange there were few alternatives and she hopes to share what she’s learned after getting her bill with others.

Ms Irwin said people relying on pensions often had to choose between being warm in winter or eating.

“It’s easy to say, don’t turn on the heater and just snuggle under the blanket,” she said.

After receiving a bill for almost $3000 from Origin Energy, Karlie Irwin started speaking to find ways to prevent large power bills and said it was a conversation the community needed.

Ms Irwin said the shock of receiving the bill pushed her into action.

“You automatically feel stress and anxiety, ‘how am I going to get this paid?’,” she said.

She said people need to ask for discounts and invest time in speaking to the NSW Energy and Water Ombudsman.

Ms Irwin has been pulling plugs out of every appliance except the fridge and freezer while her electric wall heater was being used less due to the amount of energy it needs.

In the last week, Ms Irwin said six people visiting the Pay It Forward Shed (PIF) said they were at risk of disconnection.

While not able to provide energy assistance vouchers, Ms Irwin said PIF could help with basics such as food for people struggling with bills.

Meanwhile, St Vincent de Paul Society CEO Jack de Groot said there had been a “significant escalation” in requests for assistance.

“Because of the massive price hikes in July, we have already distributed $1.95 million in energy vouchers in the first quarter of the financial year, compared to $1.3 million in the same period last year,” Mr de Groot said.

Mr de Groot called for a Victorian-style discount for low income households of 17.5 per cent.

Ms Irwin said tenants in rental properties or social housing were often left on their own to deal with increasing electricity bills.

“They can’t simply install solar panels on their roof or install more energy efficient heating options,” she said.

“If the landlord doesn’t agree, they’re stuck with catch-22.”