Never drive on chains on dry pavement. It's very bad for the pavement and for the chains. Even worse, it also increases the risk of damage to your car from a broken set of chains. I agree with what BoxsterCharlie said, chains are not a long term solution, and you would probably be better suited to a set of snow tires.
I only use my chains for about 10 miles at a time, the last 5 miles of the drive when going to the ski areas here in Oregon. You stop on the side of the road and put them on at the last possible minute and when coming back down the mountain, you take them off as soon as the snow on the road begins to clear up.
As for how long it takes to install them, I only do two wheels (you don't need chains on your non-drive wheels, really). I'd say it probably takes me less than 10 minutes, and that includes getting them out of the bag, straightening them out, attaching them, driving 10 feet, then tightening them.
Again, if you were thinking of using chains all the time, it sounds like you need snow tires, not chains. Chains are really for short distances only.
John