We also build a partial link between energy solutions as introduced by Goncalves and Jara and paracontrolled solutions. Interpreting the KPZ equation as the value function of an optimal control problem, we give a pathwise proof for the global existence of solutions and thus for the strict positivity of solutions to the stochastic heat equation. Moreover, we study Sasamoto-Spohn type discretizations of the stochastic Burgers equation and show that their limit solves the continuous Burgers equation possibly with an additional linear transport term.