My new-fill water started out at 54 degrees, lots of variables, but basically with only a solar cover, it's up to 72 in a week's time. It's been warm during the days here in Vegas, but gets cool at night. Previously, it would be the end of May before I hit 72, so have to attribute a bit of that to the new solar cover.

As for removal, not that much pain - I simply grab one corner, my son grabs another, and we fold it length-wise. Then, I have a PVC pipe that I slide under the midpoint, lift the whole thing out of the water, and hang the pipe against a side wall on the hooks where I store my skimmer poles. Easy, two minute operation, max.