Furnace Vent - T-connector?

Squirrel died in our heating system. Discovered furnace vent didn’t have any screens in the process. Saw some 70% rodent/insect screens from pvcventscreens.com that look good but...

Instead of using an elbow connector so that the vent points downward, they used a T-connector so that there are two openings from the PVC pipe, one pointed to the left and the other two the right, and nothing facing downward.

Is this common? It seems like most websites suggest the vent be pointed downward, and there only be one. Is there some advantage to using a T-connector and having two openings face sideways?

I’m tempted to cut the pipe, remove the T, and install a single elbow facing down. Alternatively, I could just buy 2 screens and keep it as it is. Any suggestions? Also, anyone use the screens from pvcventscreens.com, any good?

 

I have also seen the tee on the end of the vent pipe. I don't know if that's called for or not. I like the vent pipe pointing down to keep snow and stuff out. I make my own screens out of pieces of 1/4" hardware cloth. I cut a circle one inch larger than the diameter and then fold a 1/2" lip around the screen

If you post the model number of the furnace I can check into the installation manual for it in regards to the tee. The model number can be found inside on an ID tag on the side wall near the burner.

 

Thanks for the info! I found the manual and it does recommend a T-connector, although it should be pointed up/down, not left/right. I might cut and attach a new one but going to check snow clearance first. Lately, we’ve gotten a lot of snow and I’m not sure they raised it high enough above the snow line.